The show must go on

COVER STORY

By HELEN TARAWA
THE annual Tufi Tapa Tattoo Cultural Festival has reached another level this year with the inclusion of new activities and groups including Goilala traditional dancers from Central.
It was through an arrangement between the two parliamentarians.
Goilala MP William Samb made a commitment to Ijivitari MP Richard Masere last year that he would send a delegation to the festival.
Although Samb could not attend the cultural festival with his dancers due to the current political situation, he ensured that they participated.
The Covid-19 pandemic had affected the show which is now in its third year.
Added to that was the lack of awareness because of Covid-19 resulting in only a few dancers from within Tufi and the surrounding areas participating.
However, the highlight of the cultural festival was the inclusion of outside groups that added a different feeling to the show.

And the attendance by the Goilala dancers was a bonus for the Tufi people and the visitors to the show who had never seen them perform.
Despite the political events of late, Masere had to live up to his commitment to deliver the third show since he initiated it in 2018.
While his colleague MPs who had all confirmed to attend the festival turned down the invitation at the last minute, Masere arrived on the morning of Saturday, Nov 14 and kick-started the show by lunch time.
“For me to be here today is important especially after the events that took place on the floor of parliament.
“There are camps being formed and I was asked to stay in camp but I couldn’t miss the Tufi Tapa Tattoo Cultural Festival.
“I told them, you are going to have to tie me down, barricade me or do whatever, but I’m still going to Tufi.
“For me to be here its’ important. It sets a stage of my commitment to continue to facilitate and host the TTTCF,” he said.
“The TTTCF cannot be a success unless there is support from the district and from sponsors,” he said.
Masere said a lot of people wanted to turn up for the TTTCF but could not due to the restrictions of Covid-19. Yet even without them, the flights into Tufi in time for the festival were fully booked.

He said some people were flown into Popondetta to get on a boat and travel to Tufi.
“The interest is building up and I want to challenge you take pride in your culture and raise your standard.
“How else will the world know about you unless you take ownership. I’m challenging you today.”
Masere said two months ago Air Niugini landed in Tufi for the first time which was a big boost to the TTTCF.
“Very soon the TTTCF will be on the Paradise (Air Niugini in-flight magazine) promoting it to the international community.
“This is our way of building this show to make it an international show.
“We want our friends from Australia, New Zealand and all around the world to know where Tufi is, the culture and its traditions,” Masere said.
Speaking on behalf of Goilala MP Samb, second secretary Elliot Raphael said the Goilalas for a long time had not shown their culture since the early days of their participation on Independence Day which took them days of walking into Port Moresby.
“Goilala will always be grateful for the invitation from the people of Ijivitari especially the Tufi Local Level Government area.
“The invitation by Ijivitari is something that Goilala will be grateful for because it is part of the breaking down of barriers that the people there have wanted to do for a long time.
“There was one thing that we always want to treasure, the cultural exchange which the people of Goilala are here now to celebrate with the people of Tufi.
“This is our story and we will take it back home to our people to tell them what we have done and we pray and hope that in the coming years we will still be part of this festivity,” Raphael said.
The paramount chief of Chirime Valley in Goilala Joel Goba, said they were fortunate to be invited to be a part of the show and acknowledged the hospitality of the Tufi people.
Tufi LLG president Luke Nunisa said the TTTCF has been gazetted as a national event.
Nunisa acknowledged Masere for the political will in reviving the cultural festival which is now recognised.
“There was never a cultural exchange from Central to Northern and to Tufi. Today we are honoured to have the Goilalas participating in this show.
“Thank you for making the show possible and making it a national event for three years running,” Nunisa said.
Another addition to this year’s show was the PNG Circus which comprises of nine young people between the ages of 18 and 20 from NCD.
Originally the youths are from Central, Chimbu, Gulf, Northern, Eastern Highlands, Western and East New Britain.
Circus performance trainer Juan Bracamonte said the group was part of the NCDC Active City development programme which helped youths on the streets and taught them various skills.
He said their group was the first ever circus in PNG. They have travelled to Chimbu, Mt Hagen, Mendi and Alotau.
Circus member Nadya Evi said their performance at Tufi was their first and they were very excited about it.
“Tufi is a beautiful place, we always see it in magazines and on TV and now in real life it’s a mind-blowing experience.
“This is real life performance and we don’t have to depend on people from overseas to do these kinds of activities. We are all teenagers and we love being part of the PNG Circus and we consider ourselves as one family,” Evi said.
Group member Dominic John said they had been to other provinces performing and it had been a great experience.
“We have been together and we consider each mother as family and we love it.
“Being in Tufi for the first time is great, we love the people and the place is just magnificent,” John said.
To add to the fun and entertainment over the two-days, musicians including Allanlee Herove of Saugas, Archie Tassie Band featuring Kansman and TT Socks belted out some numbers that got the crowd on their toes.
The highlight of the final day (Sunday, Nov 15) was the crowning of Miss Tufi Tapa Tattoo Cultural Festival and fireworks by Skylite Productions.
Fifteen-year old grade eight student Styznique Okena was crowned the 2020 Tufi Tapa Tattoo Cultural Festival queen.
Okena from Kabuni village fought back tears saying “I’m excited; it means a lot to me. Honestly I didn’t think I will make it this far. I’m a little nervous.
“I am proud of this festival and the initiative undertaken by the local MP Richard Masere,” she said.
Okena had completed her grade eight exams and was waiting for her results and being crowned the TTTCF queen was a bonus for her.
“I will encourage other young women to promote our culture and preserve it for the future generations.
“I’m excited about winning this quest and the fact that my school fees will be paid in full.
“I can’t wait to tell my mum who is a teacher and is away at another school and has always been concerned about my school fees,” Okena said.
Masere announced that Okena would have her fees taken care of by the Ijivitari District Development Authority if she was selected for high school.
He also said the outgoing queen of 2019 Scholastica Ikirima will also have her fees paid fully.
Ikirima who is a student at Martyrs Memorial Secondary School in Popondetta was emotional about handing over the crown to then new winner Okena.
“It’s a sad thing to hand over the title, I looked after it like a baby, but since it’s a one-year position, I will hand it over,” Ikirima said.
Skylite Productions brought the 2020 TTTCF to a close by lighting up the sky with the fireworks at 7pm on Sunday, Nov 15.
In 2018 when the TTTCF was revived there was a fireworks display by the Lamana Group and this year Skylite Productions lit up the sky above Tufi station bringing the event to a close.
Despite the impact of Covid-19 TTTCF has certainly reached another level and the organising committee will have more up their sleeves come November 2021.