Morobe students take part in cultural festival

 By VICKY BAUNKE
STUDENTS from 22 primary schools in Morobe took part in a cultural festival at the Sir Kilage Stadium in Lae last Friday.
The festival was organised by the Morobe Provincial Sports and Culture Association.
Students from the districts of Markham, Lae, Nawaeb, Kabwum, Tewae-Siassi, Huon, Bulolo and Finschhafen performed traditional items.
Among the many traditional dances performed were the Markham spear dance, Butibam-Sabic dance, Bukawa dance, Siassi murmur snake dance, Sausere dance and the Morobe patrol post-war dance.
Morobe Governor Kelly Naru and his wife were dressed in traditional attire. Others who attended included culture coordinator Karen Quinn, festival chairman Fua Singing, Business representative Nellie Mclay, provincial education chairman Andrew Gena and Minister for Public Service Sam Abi.
Naru commended the students for having pride in their culture.
“Something has to come out of all the negativity and bad publicity of Morobe. The children have brought back some identity to the province.”
Naru said the government would make it an annual event.
The event coincided with the launching of Team Morobe for  the 2016 PNG Games to be held in Kimbe, West New Britain, this year.
Naru gave K1m to support more than 500 athletes and officials.