Sir Michael’s legacy lives on

PEOPLE will always remember the man who helped them pull up their canoe.
This is the wisdom of Sana, late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare’s father.
Sir Michael held onto his father’s wisdom and advice in his political journey and that stood out after his passing.
From the highlands to the coast, out to the islands and on mountain tops, the nation mourned for the man everyone called the “Father of the Nation”.
Sir Michael was one of a kind, unique, not only to our nation, but to the world as well.
He was a man of the people.
A traditional leader with unique skills which united Papua New Guinea.
His leadership quality were simplicity and truth defined.
As described by veteran journalist Frank Senge Kolma: “He quoted no philosophy or repeated the words of great men to make a point.
“His examples were real life experiences; his points of reference were Papua New Guinean in origin.
“He led by the example of his own life.
“He listened and took positive and fair action.”
His book Sana basically a sum up of the influences of people, places and traditions that he had experienced.
“We absorb the practices of culture, values, beliefs, pain, joy and share our lives with others from all walks of life.
“We are influenced by others and we in turn influence them.”
The first Sana was a fierce leader and peacemaker in the Sepik village of Karau.
In 1974, Sir Michael inherited the title from his father.
During the ceremony, the wisdom and the fighting spirit of Sana were passed on to him.
But more important to Sir Michael was the fact that he assumed Sana’s traditional role as peacemaker.
In the tradition of Sana, Sir Michael believed a man must invite his enemies to sit down and eat with them before going to fight, and as chief minister, he constantly sought guidance from his philosophy.
This has made Sir Michael unique in his style of leadership.
Since his passing, many have referred to him as a great leader, friend to all and enemy to none.
He was the gel that held PNG together since 1975.
A piece taken out from Sana resonates his style of leadership.
From his father Sana – “every clan has its own special magic, and ours is the magic of peace. When people come to fight us, we call them to eat first.”
“We sit down together.
“We walk, we eat.
“Then we say to them: all right, if you want to fight take your spears and stand over there.
“We also will take our weapons, and we will stand on this side.”
“But we believe that after eating, their minds will be changed.
“They will not want to fight us anymore.”
Sir Michael had an incredible humility, so much sincerity and huge ability to forgive and with that he was able to unite a country of 800 languages and the many different tribes.
We echo sentiments shared by his last born daughter Dulciana Somare-Brash that with his departing to a spiritual life, his memory remains in his courage to not bring conflict amongst our people and not to bring conflict to other people.
He led a group of likeminded patriotic Papua New Guineans and brought our nation to self-governance and independence without war and bloodshed.
His footsteps and legacy to all who have come after him will can never be filled.