ENB clan honours Sir Michael
THE Malemale clan of Vunabalbal ward in Kokopo, East New Britain, which Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was initiated into, honoured the first prime minister at the place where he spent his early childhood at Bitapalangat.
The ceremony took place on the same day of Sir Michael’s burial in Wewak, East Sepik.
Coordinator Jack Voivoi said the initial ceremony to mark Sir Michael’s ceremonial burial was initiated with close consultation with the Malemale clan.
He said Bitapalangat was the place where Sir Michael grew up and the ceremony was a fitting farewell for the man who would go on to unite a country and help it achieve independence.
Malemale clan members all dressed in black to signify their mourning the passing of a great leader.
Clans from the surrounding wards of Vunabalbal, Vunamami, and Ulagunan also attended the ceremony to pay their respects.
The clans also took part with their tubuans as part of a customary ritual “takin” which was a sign of respect.
The follow-up ceremony called the Kututabu, will take place next February, a year after Sir Michael’s burial.
The Malemale clan will also organise the Kututabu ceremony which will be supported by the provincial government and other clans of Matupit Island in Rabaul.
Meanwhile, the Somare haus krai ended last Friday, with Voivoi acknowledging the support of the provincial government, the Kokopo administration, including the Kokopo Vunamami urban LLG government under the support of Kokopo mayor Isidore Bonga.