Kokopo clan participates in stirring tribute

A CLAN in Kokopo, East New Britain, has taken part in a ceremony to honour their ancestor who perished while defending their customary land from Germans in 1902.
The Marikaur clan members, led by clan Tubuans IaBagubagu and IaMareve, planted Tanget plants at the site where their ancestor ToRuruk perished. Clan chief Michael Norman, 64, told The National on Saturday that their ancestor was hanged on a tree at the site by Germans after he refused to release their customary land.
“He was defending our land from the Germans here at this spot,” Norman said.
“The Germans hung him on a tree, dug a hole beneath him with swords planted into the ground and facing up.
“When they let him loose, he fell into the hole with swords piercing his body. He was still breathing when they buried him.
“His murder was a warning by the Germans to other clans that they would kill any leader in the same way if they refused to let go of their land.”
The clan planned to build a monument at the spot. “We did not plan the occasion to disturb any development in Kokopo city, but to honour our old man who was buried along these streets – Makau and Elwell,” Norman said.
He urged authorities to name the streets after their ancestor.