Foreign firms urged to respect PNG culture

TOURISM Arts and Culture Minister Emil Tammur has called on foreign businesses to respect and seek proper clearances when conducting business in the country.
His call follows images of Tubuans and foreign models featured prominently in the social public domain triggering a backlash from many Tolai leaders and commentators.
“Papua New Guinea is made up of thousands of tribes and languages and many societies have certain rituals that are only meant for specific events usually unknown to other PNG societies, including foreigners for that matter.”
Tammur said what has happened could not be reversed, but it should now prompt us to be more careful and extra sensitive should there be similar attempts in the future.
He also called for respect and restraint in the public domain discussions relating to the involvement of the Tumbuan in a foreign fashion advertisement.
About a fortnight ago, images on Tubuans and foreign models were featured prominently in the social public domain triggering a backlash from many Tolai leaders and commentators.
Explaining his reasons for not coming out in the media at the start of the saga, he said the Tumbuan is a sacred ritual in the Tolai society and any issue or concern relating to the Tumbuan must be dealt according to the Tumbuan custom.
“It is not open to anyone outside the Tumbuan society to discuss and or comment. We have a Taraiu or a council of Tumbuans that will convene to decide on what to do as set out in the Tumbuan custom.”