Farewell Sir Michael

Farewell Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare.
Just after 4pm on March 16, 2021, when Papua New Guinea public servants prepare to take their leave after a day in the office, Sir Michael’s earthly remain was lowered into his tomb on Kreer Heights in Wewak, East Sepik.
Coincidently, Sir Michael was first elected to PNG’s parliament by the people of East Sepik on March 16, 1968.
He was the first prime minister after Independence.
At the time of his death, Sir Michael was the longest-serving prime minister, having been in office for 17 years over three separate terms: from 1975 to 1980; from 1982 to 1985; and from 2002 to 2011.
His political career spanned from 1968 until his retirement in 2017.
Besides serving as PM, he was minister of foreign affairs, leader of the opposition and governor of East Sepik.
Sir Michael liked to present himself in a laplap/sulu (a kind of sarong) instead of in trousers.
Laplaps are not traditional in the sense of pre-colonial and is therefore a declaration of neo traditionalism.
That is evident in his autobiography that he published at Independence.
He was stressing his Sepik identity, despite being born in Rabaul on the islands and far from the Sepik, but he portrayed his time as a child in Sepik villages as decisive in forming his personality.
His last born daughter, Dulciana Somare-Brash, told mourners of how her father lived by his principle of treating everyone equal and love of his Catholic faith and church.
Cardinal Sir John Ribat who gave Sir Michael’s last rites and anointing shared of his time with the grand chief.
He told those gathered yesterday in Wewak that Sir Michaels passing was peaceful without any pain or suffering.
He told of when he visited Sir Michael and he (Sir Michael) told him (Sir John) that when he (Sir Michael) discharged from the hospital, he would attend the mass at St Joseph parish in Port Moresby.
In his funeral service sermon at the Sir Hubert Murray stadium last Friday, Cardinal Ribat said: “As I came to know Sir Michael, I also enjoyed getting to know the joy and enthusiasm which he lived out his faith, not only in politics but in his life as well.”
He said Sir Michael knew his true values and did not conceal his faith, publicly acknowledging his faith in Jesus Christ.
“From the founding father of PNG, we often heard those words of faith that he put into action and he believed that independence should make every one strive to be better and have unified lives,” Sir John said.
Prime Minister James Marape said: “Sir Michael is unmatched by anyone of us who come after him. He deserves our unified respect now at his passing, and forever into the future as a nation.”
We part with the wrap from East Sepik Governor Allan Bird in Parliament: “Sana, the glue that kept this country together has departed but the responsibility is ours, let’s carry the nation because that is his final wish to us.
“When a great tree falls, it allows the saplings to reach for the sunlight and grow as well. We have to now be the glue that holds the country together. It is our job now.”
Auwo, Tunga.