Cultural items not to be sold

By PISAI GUMAR
THE USINO-Bundi district in Madang is discouraging tourist operators from selling   cultural items as part of tourism packages.
Usino council president Joseph Gwasuru said  people’s valuable cultural and traditional items were accessed, packaged and sold,  with little or nothing in return for the people in Usino, Bundi and Gama council wards.
Gwasuru’s caution came at the launching of a Usino, Bundi and Gama eco-tourism project themed “progress through partnership” with a tourism consultant at Walium town last Saturday.
The wards comprise Usino 34, Bundi 22 and Gama 14 and include settlers along the Gusap Downs-Usino Junction-Iguruwe and onto the end of the Tapo Bridge.
Nine singsing groups, a bamboo and string band along with a brass band braved the downpour.
The highlights were the project-launching, memorandum of understanding signing by Gwasuru, deputy administrator Abraham Gene, promoter Steven Francis and (bilas) costume showcase.
Gwasuru presented K5,000 and an office space to Francis to coordinate the project.
“Our bilas is our identity, our language and norm with immense economy value embedded within and if selectively identified, packaged and promoted essentially will minimise social issues,” Gwasuru said.
He said tourism in essence encouraged positive human characteristics and shared understanding between people and cultural values as a catalyst for socio-economic development.
“Tourism has positive influence on different aspects of life with its underlying potentials,” he said.
Francis said that in the nutshell, tourism activities were diverse involving all spheres of human cultural values and natural resources like rivers, mountains, seas, reefs and caves apart from traditional singsings.
“Tourism is the cornerstone that encourages peace and exchange of ideas as an opportunity for education and personal growth.
“It is a moment in time to encounter nature and environment for spiritual and physical growth.” while embracing values.”