Call made to breathe new life into traditional cultures from dying

THE diverse cultures of the country need to be maintained because most of the cultural values are dying due to western influences, says an official.
National Capital District education executive Geopeke Temane told students at Gerehu Secondary School in Port Moresby during their cultural show yesterday that they should at least have some sense of pride in their culture because times were changing.
He said students were affected everyday by so many outside influences and Papua New Guinea’s real traditional cultures were disappearing.
Temane said when young people took ownership of their cultures, it showed the cultural background they belonged to.
“We have 800-plus different languages and different cultures and they are very important for us to maintain,” he said.
“Of course, there are some influences like religion killing our cultures but I don’t think it is a sin to maintain them.”
Temane said culture was given and blessed and it was for the people of this country to respect and uphold their values.
He said every citizen belonged to a culture but they tried to adapt to things which were not part of the culture and it was where they failed.
“Our cultures come in line with the protection of our bodies,” Temane said.
He compared the new and traditional fashion styles, saying Papua New Guineans were not moving forward when people dressed half naked.