Sepik’s Arapesh show set for Sept

ALL schools in the Dagua area of East Sepik will, for the first time, take part in the annual Arapesh Cultural Festival slated for September.
The three-day event starts on Sept 15 at Woginara village and will coincide with the country’s 36th independence anniversary celebrations.
Festival chairman Ben Worebai said all primary schools, including St John Bosco High School at Dagua, had been invited to display a variety of activities to promote the Arapesh culture.
Worebai, who is head teacher at Sapuain Primary School, said the inclusion of the schools was in line with the recently introduced outcomes-based education, which encourages school children to show case their culture at an early age, and as part of learning.
The festival started in 2009 for the Arapesh speaking people of the West Coast area but last year attracted groups from Sepik River, West Yangoru and parts of the province who showcased their culture.
Last year saw 19 singsing groups, 11 string bands and nine arts and craft displays but the committee is anticipating greater participation this year.
Worebai said East Sepik MP and Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare had expressed interest in officiating at the event but because of his health, may not be able to do that this year.
Interested groups and schools that wish to take part can register their interest with the organising committee on telephone 7675 2252 or 7113 2768.