Enjoying a thriving carving business across the sea from home

By ROSELYN ELLISON
MICHAEL Konnie from East Sepik is making a living from selling his carvings in Rabaul, East New Britain.
Two worlds apart it seems but it matters less to Michael, 56.
Although born and bred in Rabaul, his family is originally from Yengimagua village in the Gawi local level government of the Wosera-Gawi district in East Sepik. It is a place renowned for traditional carvers. The skill is passed down through the generations.
“Even though I was not brought up at home in East Sepik, I have the Sepik River blood in me and can do carvings.”
His parents were brought to Rabaul to work in the plantations 70 years ago. He was born at the Nonga Hospital and raised with his siblings at Malay town where his parents settled down after finishing their work at the plantation.
Michael calls Rabaul home but acknowledges the thick Sepik blood in his veins, plus the genes of his skilled ancestors.
“People think I was brought up in Sepik because I produce outstanding carvings which sell fast. But the truth is I know nothing about my home in East Sepik.”
His wife passed away last year. They have three children.

“ Even though I was not brought up at home in East Sepik, I have the Sepik River blood in me and can do carvings.”

Michael had been working for a company in Rabaul in the past 15 years but resigned recently to concentrate on his carving business. He earns more from carving than from his fortnight salary at the company.
He makes up to K600 a day. And when tourists come to Rabaul, he can make between K1000 and K2000 a day.
He sells carvings according to their sizes. Most of the tourists who buy his handiwork are from Australia, America and Asia.
He sits outside the Rabaul Hotel to sell the carvings.
“I want to thank Rabaul Hotel owner Susie McGrade for allowing us to sit at the front of Rabaul Hotel to sell our carvings.”

Like Michael, his wantok and fellow carver Kenneth Ningri, 40, is from Tambunum village in the Angoram district of East Sepik. Ningri is married with three children who live with him in Rabaul.
The family arrived in 2017 from Madang to look for the best market to sell his carvings.
“In Madang, there is competition because there are many carvers. I don’t make much money from my sale there.”
Kenneth wants to earn enough money to send his children to schools where they can get quality education.
Therefore he left Madang and travelled across the sea to Rabaul.
Of course there are other carvers in Rabaul who provide competition. But the business is good and everyone including Kenneth are happy with what they make each day. He earns up to K500 a day and much more when tourists are in town. At times, up to K1,500 a day.
He is happy because his three children are attending the St Martin Primary School in Rabaul.
Like Michael, Kenneth wants to settle down in Rabaul and run his carving business there.
For Michael and Kenneth, their East Sepik villages are far from their thoughts right now although they will not forget the root of the traditional carving skills that is their major source of income. They will always be thankful to home for that.