Lagaip to host third annual Sangai fest

By ELIAS LARI
LAGAIP in Enga will host the third Lagaip Sangai festival later this month, festival chairman Tony Sulupin says.
Sulupin said that the festival was a community initiative in partnership with the National Cultural Commission (NCC) and the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority (PNGTA) aimed to revive dozens of lost cultures, traditions and rites in the district.
He said the purpose of the event was to help the younger generation maintain their culture and tradition because that was their pride and identity.
Sulupin said the festival would be held from June 23-24 at the Wanepap School ground.
He said this festival was initially scheduled for July 28-29 in the NCC calendar but was moved forward after consultation with authorities such as the NCC.
Sulupin said the reason for the changes of dates was to avoid possible disruptions caused by the general election.
“The Lagaip Sangai festival was a major annual West Enga show featuring about hundreds of young men who went for a week-long purification in the thick jungle,” he said.
“While in the jungle, they prepared themselves for manhood before appearing on the sixth day for their girlfriends to pick their soon to-be husbands.”
Sulupin said the event was aimed at reviving the lost cultures and traditions of the Enga people.
He said the first two festivals were hosted in 2020 and 2021.
Cultural groups, organisations and others planning to take part in the Sangai festival this year are to get in touch with Tony Sulupin on phone 79232698 or email: [email protected]