Rise in visitors to Wewak helps Angoram carvers

By HELEN TARAWA
CARVERS from Angoram, the home district of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare, made some money during his funeral by selling their carvings.
Roland Bangu, from Tambunum village in Angoram, told The National that the carvers made about K1,000 a day from visitors to Wewak in the past two weeks.
The only time they earn that much is when overseas tourists were in town.
“Sometimes we make less than K600 or K500 a day,” he said.
The carvings are made out of Kwila and Milkypine trees.
“It takes five to six days to complete a carving of a PNG crest, bird of paradise, crocodile, walking stick, wooden bowl and masks.
“The money we raise is for school fees for our children, food and other needs.”
Bangu praised Sir Michael for his leadership.
“We walked around in black to pay our respect to our father,” he said.
“Even after his burial, as we are walking the streets doing our sales, we are still thinking about him.
“Our father and the father of this nation was a great man because we have the freedom to exercise our rights like making carvings and selling.
“Because we are independent, we can do our own things like the carvings we make and sell.
“We thank the whole nation for standing with us to mourn the death of our father and especially those who made it to Wewak to witness his funeral and burial.
“We are ever so grateful.”