Hahenamo show a celebration of culture

By JASON GIMA WURI
PORT Moresby National High School celebrated its 16th Hahenamo cultural show with a display of rich, colourful dances and traditional songs from the 21 provinces last Friday.
Deputy principal administration and Hahenamo programme coordinator Matthew Maito said the annual cultural event was held to commemorate the funding, construction and official opening of the school as an educational institution in 1996.
“The word Hahenamo is Motu which means coming together to show gratitude and appreciation,” he said.
“The Hahenamo show is a miniature of our country in its colourful and exotic beauty of traditional finery,” Maito said.
He said the event, themed “Appreciating our diverse cultures in unity”, united students from across the country who staged their respective cultural singsings in one location.
“We thank the government and people of Japan for the funding, the government for development agreement and all those who contributed in making possible the school’s existence.
NCD Governor Powes Parkop praised the school’s administration and student body for successfully organising the show.
“You have all done your families and city proud, maintain these traditional values of celebration as we continue to move into the future.
“In the city, it is difficult to do cultural shows but to see all the traditional attires and instruments been on show today speaks a lot about your commitment as students in preserving your cultures,” Parkop said.