Cultural identity and diversity

TOO engrossed in our elections, much of PNG did not follow what went on for the past two weeks in the Solomon Islands capital, Honiara.
There a cultural extravaganza was in full blossom with participants from no less than 23 countries of the South Pacific.
Papua New Guinea, at the cost of K900,000, sent a 130-member delegation to the South Pacific Arts festival.
It was a sight to behold. From the variety of costumes to songs and dances and traditional artifacts, the Pacific do possess a diverse cultural heritage.
More than 22,000 people converged on the small Melanesian neighbour over the two weeks which we are certain was a welcome respite for the country struggling economy.
The 130-member PNG team was formidable but, unfortunately, could only manage four troupes.
There was a mask dance crew from New Ireland and Gulf, the famous Asaro mudmen from Eastern Highlands and a Sepik contemporary dance crew from the Maprik.
A bigger team with perhaps more different performances or even the teams were able to perform
a variety of different dances and costumes from throughout the country might have helped display PNG’s rich cultural diversity far more.
The culture of a people is codified in the language of the people.
If PNG has more than 800 languages, then that is the number of distinct cultures it should have.
At Independence, PNG adopted neighbouring Indonesia’s Bhinneka Tunggal Ika or “unity in diversity” motto but, over the years, has done little to promote the diversity.
To its eternal shame, Papua New Guinea has done little over the years to promote the richness of its diverse people.
There is a direct relationship between this neglect and the low and lowering number of tourists visiting PNG.
Slowly, over time cultural museums in the provinces have evaporated.
There are no longer any contemporary song and dance groups.
The rare skills of carving, of ornate designs in belt making, of fashioning canoe heads, the art of making bilum, are all but extinct today.
With the death of the last remaining last artisans, craftsmen, bilum spinners and even gifted orators, will be the death of centuries of skills.
It is critical that our governments, not just national government, but more so provincial and local level governments, make an effort to promote and preserve culture.
Yes, culture is dynamic and that nothing can remain static but at least the old ways must be remembered before the change of times can be added to the original.
Without a cultural identity, this nation is without a soul.
Schools and businesses must also take pride in promoting culture. Whatever happened to that grand idea to wear traditional bilas or at least laplap, meri blouse to work or school once a week?
Cultural diversity can create division and tension in a community but it can also bolster community cooperation if there is far greater appreciation of it.