MP: Facilities to store cultural data lacking

National, Normal
Source:

The National, Wednesday July 24th, 2013

 PAPUA New Guinea lacks proper facilities to store cultural information and data, according to Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Boka Kondra.

He said at the National Mask Festival in Kokopo last Thursday, many countries had facilities to store cultural information and data in archives and libraries.

“Given this lack of proper storage facilities in this country, the best way of preserving and protecting the cultures of the indigenous people in PNG is in live form.

“The main vehicle at present that is being promoted by my ministry through the National Cultural Commission are the festivals at the national, provincial and local levels,” he said.

Kondra said the main aim of the festivals was to strengthen and promote cultures among the people. It was also important to promote tourism.

He said the Warwagira Festival was a provincial initiative set out to pursue the same aims and goals as the Mask Festival but at the provincial level.

“I commend the ENB government for its continued commitment to this important activity, one that should be replicated by all provinces.”

Kondra raised concerns that with the onset of globalisation, many cultures faced the risk of erosion and eventually disappearing.

“There is a dire need to provide inspiration to the holders or custodians of these cultures to maintain them.”

 Kondra said.

“In fact, many aspects of PNG culture have disappeared in the last 130 years and among these are important components of the indigenous people’s cultures.

“There is a dire need to provide inspiration to the holders or custodians of these cultures to maintain them,”