Artefacts trading to be closely monitored

THE trading of traditional artefacts will be closely monitored to ensure there is a properly managed market for small-medium businesses, says National Cultural Commission (NCC) executive director Steven Kilanda.
The monitoring will be done by the NCC and the Investment Promotion Authority (IPA).
Kilanda was responding to concerns raised by the SME Council president Desmond Yaninen on whether the trading of artefacts would be stopped.
“You (SMEs) can still carry out trading in the meantime,” he said.
“But after proper consultations are done with various stakeholders, there will be an investigation into the types of traditional artefacts being traded.
“Our (NCC) intention is to ensure that each traditional knowledge and cultural expression is preserved. We invite you (SME council) to join us in strategising for the best approach.”
Kilanda said compressed prints of traditional bilum designs including tapa and taboo on fabrics posed a threat to the significance of traditional knowledge and cultural expression.
“The true significance of traditional artefacts is included right from the initial stage of its creation all the way to the end product,” he said.
“That is the significance we wish to portray while commercialising this industry so that the rightful owners of the designs are given the credit for their work and the knowledge in passed onto the next generation.”
Kilanda said a workshop for business stakeholders will be held to find way to better manage and secure a traditional knowledge and cultural expression market.