Asaro mudmen perform in NZ

 PAPUA New Guinea Asaro mudmen took centre stage in a play to celebrate Melanesia at Pataka, Wellington, New Zealand.  

The play at the Porirua museum featured alongside dances, songs, exhibitions and craft from most of the islands which make up the Melanesian region – Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and West Papua. 

Papua New Guinean and Wellingtonian Ancey Wamiri choreographed and wrote the mud men play.  

‘‘For us we wanted to showcase our culture and, more importantly, we were hoping our kids would take part,’’ Wamiri said. 

‘‘When they saw us doing it, they just came on board. It was the first time we did the Asaro mud men, so it was a big high for us. 

“Seeing our kids take part and enjoy themselves help us show New Zealand a bit of our culture.’’ 

Wamiri is from the Asaro Valley in the Eastern Highlands where the legend of the mudmen is based.  

She said the play told the tale of how the mudmen vanquished their enemies. 

The play was performed by Omphalus and Nelann Kua, Anitalinty Wamiri, Naomi Woodham, Timbi Maladina and Peter Kerenge. 

Kerenge also organised the music and created the masks for the play. 

The cultural day at Pataka was a great showcase for the Melanesian region and she hoped it would be repeated soon.