ENB clan honours Sir Michael

National

From left: Veni Diro (the son of retired Brig-Gen Ted Diro), Sir Michael’s sons Sana and Arthur, Reggie Guise (son of former governor-general Sir John Guise) and John Mona in Wewak, East Sepik, last week. – Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI

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.

People paying their respects to the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare during his burial at Kreer Heights in Wewak, East Sepik, last Tuesday. – Nationalpic by KENNEDY BANI

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.

The grieving Malemale clan dressed in black gathering around a make-shift grave of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare to pay their respects before the laying of flowers. – Nationalpic by MICHAEL WARTOVO

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.

Two men in a tree in Wewak just to catch a glimpse of the late Grand Chief’s casket last week.

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.

Border officials from Indonesia and Papua New Guinea with the wreaths after the solemn ceremony at the PNG-Indonesian border last Monday to mourn the passing of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. – Picture supplied

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.

People lining the streets in Wewak on March 14 to welcome the casket of the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. – Nationalpic by MIRIAM ZARRIGA

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.

People, including children, dressed in black and lining the streets in Wewak on March 14 to welcome the casket of the Late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. – Nationalpic by MIRIAM ZARRIGA

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.