Tributes fitting for a people’s champion

MIRIAM ZARRIGA recounts personal connections and the mourning of a beloved chief

AS we buried Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare on Tuesday March 16 a sea of PNG and provincial flags waved goodbye in the breeze as the skies cleared and the lone bugler fareweled the Father of the Nation.
His love for this country was evident when he lived as he pushed for Independence and Constitutional changes.
For me personally it was a journey as I represented my mother who under the leadership of Sir Michael was one of the first women who became Secretary for a national department.
My mother said to me as I left the house for my early morning flight out of Port Moresby last Saturday “Miriam you are representing me as you travel to Wewak, the man who I credit as my mentor is going to be buried, for me it’s a personal loss and I wish I could be there but you represent both sides of our family.”
With that I got on a flight to Wewak on Saturday March 13.
As I sat in the plane I thought about the first two weeks since Sir Michael’s passing.

Personal connection
In 2020 I introduced myself to Dulciana Somare-Brash in Vamino, West Sepik. We had met before but it was a nod of acknowledgement as we always bumped into each other at jobs and Parliament sittings.
When I told her who I was she immediately told me that we were family and she explained the connection with my mum.
You see growing up my mother was always busy; she was working at the Department of National Planning and Monitoring.
I didn’t pay much attention to her job as I was a child. As I grew older I understood the pressure of the job and did my best to take care of my sister who was a year younger than me.
When Sir Michael was the Prime Minister my mum became one of the first women to become the Secretary of National Planning.
My mum became a lot busier now but she had immense respect for Sir Michael especially because he loved to talk about New Ireland province where mum is from.
He never called my mum by her first name which was Ruby he always spoke to her and addressed her by her village name which was Ngur.
Whenever he greeted my mum it was “Ngur gutpla long lukim yu” and he would ask for his friends in New Ireland who mum knew.
He always spoke his teaching days at the Utu Intermediate School (now Utu Secondary School) in 1957.
My daughter Alexis met Sir Michael when she was three years old at Theodist in 2016.
As my mum and Alexis were coming out of the shop Sir Michael was walking in and he immediately recognised mum.
Calling her over he said to her “Ngur, who is this little one?”
And he asked my daughter “bubu wanem nem blong yu?”
My daughter replied and told him she was three years old and was not yet in school.
“Ngur mi go painim sampla samting na mi go bek,” Sir Michael told my mum.
He smiled at my daughter and walked off.
That was the last time my mum met Sir Michael.

The announcement
As the country slept between 12am and 1am on Friday, February 26 messages and calls were made, intense conversations were made as the Prime Minister James Marape was advised, other important institutions were told of the passing of Sir Michael.
The country woke up to the news of Sir Michael with many posting their condolences on Facebook and other social media platforms.
To many it was a shock.
The Pacific International Hospital at 3-mile was filled with people as the announcement was made on radio.
As a reporter as I made my way to the office I saw the messages and immediately cancelled my morning job.
In the next couple of days I began to really see who Sir Michael was.
That same afternoon at 2pm, Prime Minister James Marape announced to the country the National Governments plans for the next coming days as they organised the State funeral.
Marape announced that Monday, March 1 would be a public holiday for the nation to start remembering Sir Michael and Friday, March 12 was also to be another public holiday when the State funeral was held.
Marape said a two weeks mourning period commenced on Feb 26 to March 10, to pay respect to the founding father of Papua New Guinea, the late Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare.
On Thursday March 11, Sir Michael’s casket would lie in State at the Chamber for the last time.
Before his death, Sir Michael indicated his desire to be buried in East Sepik, rather than at Independence Hill in Port Moresby.
In the statement released by the family, they’ve stated their wish for Sir Michael’s final resting place to be at Kreer Heights in Wewak.
The move would break with a tradition that’s seen former PNG prime ministers Sir William Skae ands Sir Mekere Morauta who died in December, buried at Independence Hill in the capital.
Allan Bird, the Governor of East Sepik, says Sir Michael planned to be laid to rest in East Sepik.
“Around 2004 he began constructing his tomb, if you like, on Kreer Heights, which is a really beautiful spot that overlooks the Wewak harbour and he used to sit there in the mornings and watch the sunrise.
“He deliberately picked that and like the pharaohs of old he built his tomb,” Governor Bird said.
The National Government saw otherwise saying that they would discuss with the family.
For three days there was a meeting between the family and the National Government. Sunday, March 28, it was agreed that after the funeral service on March 12 the body would be flown to Wewak.

National haus krai
Nearly K8 million was raised through contributions by provincial governments to the haus krai of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare. All 22 provinces were represented by their governors and MPs as they came together to farewell Sir Michael.
Arthur Somare, the second son of Sir Michael says his father may be gone but his dreams, hopes and legacy are etched in the Constitution of Papua New Guinea.
He said this at the final haus krai at Sir John Guise indoor stadium in Port Moresby.
“In the Constitution there are five national goals and principles that talk about the Papua New Guinea’s way of equity, participation, fairness,” Somare said. “All these dreams will be here forever.”
He said Sir Michael and other leaders put their thoughts and wisdom together and wrote the Constitution.
Somare urged the young people to read and understand PNG’s Constitution and as it contained all their rights.
“All your rights are in the Constitution,” he said.
“Right to culture, religious freedom, freedom of speech, right over the land and resource.”

He said Sir Michael was no longer with them but his dreams continue to live on as long as people followed the Constitution that he helped write 50 years ago.
Somare said, Sir Michael had thought of forming the Independent State of Papua New Guinea when he was a young man and many people had worked with him to achieve self-governance.
He thanked leaders such as Sir Julius Chan, Paias Wingti, Sir Pita Lus, Dr John Momis, Sir Rabbie Namaliu, Gabriel Dusava, Joseph Gabut, Tony Siagaru and others.
With the clock ticking down, so too was the beating of the garamut (slit wooden drum) from the Murik Lakes as Papua New Guinea prepares to farewell the father of the nation.
Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare will lie-in-state today before the funeral service on Friday.
Sir Michael will take his final journey home to Wewak on Sunday.
As alluded to by son Arthur: “There will be a traditional farewell to be performed by the people of Murik Lakes, East Sepik, which will involve providing him with a canoe, spear and a basket.
Sir Michael, Tunga, was not just a political leader in the country but he was a customary leader as well.
His canoe is called the muntai, his basket is called the san and his spear called the yamdar.
This will all be a part of his journey to the next life as the garamut of the Murik Lakes continues to beat until he is laid to rest.
Sir Michael’s people of Murik Lakes share the same traditional customs with the Bogia people of Madang.
When a big man dies, they call people to the village using the garamut. Sir Michael’s people did the same.
A leader from Bogia explained that they beat the garamut two times; the first signaled for silence and the second signaled people to go for mourning.
Sir Michael’s life was all about celebrations, something he grew up with.

Parliament
At 6am on Thursday March 11 as the city of Port Moresby began waking up, the beating of a garamut could be heard announcing the death of a chief. The garamut beat by a chief of Murik Lakes Crosby Wasu, a the clansman of Sir Michael.
At 10am as the casket left the funeral home in Erima, crowds lined the road waving PNG flags and chanting “Somare, Somare, Somare”.
As it is custom according to the people of Murik Lakes where Sir Michael is from the garamut was again heard as it announced the coming of Sir Michael.
Its beat sounding out two different sounds from the “Hausman” of Sir Michael as the casket left the Funeral Home at Erima for Parliament.
As the hearse escorted by police arrived to Parliament House, the school children broke out in song singing the National Anthem of PNG accompanying the casket of Sir Michael as it was led up the stairs into the Great hall.
It lay in the grand hall before it was then carried into the Parliament chamber where it would lie in state as all leaders farewelled Sir Michael.
The chamber was quiet as bagpipes heralded the arrival of the casket a PNG flag laid on top the casket.
Forgiveness was sought, memories and stories of old was shared as leaders shared their tributes. Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika told Parliament that Sir Michael united all the leaders, tribes and a nation rose called Papua New Guinea.
“You and I are to guard with our lives our country’s national identity with integrity and respect,” he said.
Opposition Leader Belden Namah apologised for the 2011 political storm that led to Sir Michael stepping aside as Prime Minister.
Leading the tributes was his oldest friend and New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan who spoke of their friendship that span over 50 years and continued among political differences, changes of government and respect.
Western Highlands Governor Paias Wingti told parliamentary leaders to “learn from Sir Michael, he built constitutions and it is our job to take care of them, be responsible.”
Three MPs called for a new cancer hospital to be built in Sir Michael’s memory as the country continues to lose citizens to cancer including the Grand Chief who succumbed to pancreatic cancer on February 26.
Prime Minister James Marape remembered Sir Michael as a “bulldozer” in politics that saw many institutions built that are standing today and run by Papua New Guinea men and women.
As the sun slowly set, the casket was carried out of Parliament for the last time amid the sorrowful tune of the joint disciplinary force band.
Slowly he was taken down the hill and driven along the roads as the city stood still and remembered him.
A man of vision is what New Ireland Governor Sir Julius Chan said of Sir Michael last Thursday in Parliament as his casket lay in Parliament.
“For 53 years we laughed together and many times we cried together,” Sir Julius said.
“During the tough times, Sir Michael always knew that he had my shoulder to lean on. I always knew I had his shoulder to lean on.
“Sir Michael was a pillar of strength for me, and I hope I was a source of strength for him.
“There are some men who are born to fly, who are fated to soar above the crowd.
“Sir Michael was such a man. He was an eagle, who soared above all of us.
“He was a man with a dream; a man of vision. Our biggest dream of all, a dream that at first seemed too fantastic to ever come true, was the dream that the Territories of Papua and New Guinea could unite.
“They said it couldn’t be done.
“But Sir Michael put together a crew in 1972 Government that would take us to our goal, to independence.
“That crew included Somare, myself and John Kaputin from the islands, Iambakey Okuk from the Highlands, John Guise from Milne Bay, and Albert Maori Kiki from Gulf.”
Sir Julius said Sir Michael took leaders from every part of the country-to-be, creating unity out of diversity.
“That small group set sail for a goal that we could only dimly see, but with a clear vision of what we wanted desperately to achieve,” he said.
“Those first years, from 1972 to 1978, were the greatest years of creativity, cooperation and commitment to opening Papua New Guinea to the world.
“Together, we took on the greatest challenge in the history of any country – the challenge to be independent, to be free.
“There was much to do if we were going to achieve that.
“Sir Michael was dealing with a land of a thousand cultures with over 800 languages.”
Sir Julius said everything PNG had today was based off the freedom, independence, cultural strength and pride brought together by Sir Michael.
“He will no longer join us in our celebration of freedom,” he said.
“He will be missed but Sir Michael will never die in our hearts.”
Sir Julius said this as he farewelled Sir Michael at a special Parliament sitting where the casket of Sir Michael was carried in for the last time.
As it was carried out, it was the last time Sir Michael would be in the House he built.

State funeral
The oldest stadium in the country was the site where thousands of men, women and children farewelled “the founding father” of Papua New Guinea Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare on Friday afternoon at his State Funeral.
Sir Hubert Murray Stadium was filled to capacity with many residents of Port Moresby braving the sun to farewell Sir Michael.
Many arrived as early as 10am as Covid-19 protocols was imposed on those in attendance, however the stadium was filled as many others who were not allowed in broke the fence of the stadium and rushed in to be part of the funeral service.
Lady Veronica who has been kept under care at the home she shared with Sir Michael arrived to the cries and clapping of those in attendance as she braved the heat and was guided and protected by her children and carers.
As Sir Michael’s casket was brought in, wails of sorrow was heard as many broke down in tears at the site of the casket.
And an even sorrowful sound could be heard as Lady Veronica mourned the loss of her partner, best friend, and husband of 59 years.
A mass led by Cardinal John Ribat was held as “Sir Michael was a man who held strong to the Catholic Faith up till his last day,” Cardinal Ribat said.
The youngest daughter Dulciana Somare-Brash then represented the family describing her father as a “protector and patriarch” of the household.
“The Prime Minister James Marape said it best when he described my father as a “bulldozer” in politics and we always said our mother was the gear that guided him.”
Sir Dadi Toka said that their passion for golf was always the factor that saw both men enjoy a round every month or so.
“As it became difficult for Sir Michael he would drive in his buggy telling me what to do.”
Former Bougainville President Dr John Momis said that Sir Michael laid the foundation of what the country was built on and it was our job to continue it.
As the NCD Governor Powes Parkop went up to speak, the heavens sounded a warning and then it rained.
He also announced that because of the unity and peace approach Sir Michael did in uniting the country a new “Sir Michael Somare Peace and Unity Park” would be built in his memory.
“Sir Michael united the country and continued to do so in the years even after his political career ended, his name will be synonymous with our Independence and is a story that will be told in the years to come.”
Marape who closed the funeral service remembered that Sir Michael always had some advice for younger leaders.
Just like in 2017 when Sir Michael ended his political career in the rain at Sir Hubert Murray Stadium, again the showers farewelled Sir Michael as his casket left the stadium for the last time.
Those who braved the rain waved PNG flags and bade their farewell as the hearse was driven out of the Stadium.

Wewak welcomes Sir Michael
When news reached Wewak that Sir Michael had died the province East Sepik began preparing for his arrival.
Everyone wore black and the town began a massive cleanup as districts started to move into Wewak.
Provincal delegates either walked or arrived into Wewak via boat and air plane.
Once again the cries of the people in Port Moresby and Wewak, East Sepik Province was heard as the casket of Grand Chief Sir Michael Somare was removed from the Air Niugini Q400 in which it was placed then moved to the Australian Defence Force C27.
The gates of the Jackson’s APEC terminal was broken with crowds rushing the tarmac as they refused to let the Q400 leave with the casket of Sir Michael in which they seemed it was not right.
In the morning, the casket of Sir Michael was carried to the plane at the Jackson’s Apec Terminal as the residents of city were on hand to farewell Sir Michael.
As the Royal Papua New Guinea Constabulary played the “Auld Lang Syne” the cries of the city residents calling out “Sana”, “Tunga”, and “Grand Chief” could be heard along with sorrowful wails as PNG flags were flown proudly.
However, the people refused to let the plane leave until the casket was put into an Australian Defence Force Hercules aircraft.
They stayed on the tarmac till it was agreed and the casket was removed and placed in the C27 which had been told to return to the Airport in Pom 27 minutes into its flight.
As it was across in Wewak word reached the ears of the mourners who were waiting at the airport that the casket would reach Boram Airport in a “cargo plane”.
That did not sit well with the mourners who told the police and National Airport Corporation guards that the casket in the cargo compartment of an Air Niugini cargo would not be taken well by the people of East Sepik.
Sana Somare, oldest son of Sir Michael arrived and spoke to the people telling them that “they had communicated with Port Moresby and the casket would arrive in an Australian Defence Force plane.
This appeased the people who accepted the words of Sana and allowed preparations to continue.
Finally, the plane left Jacksons at 1pm arriving at Wewak at about 2pm.
The crowd left the main road and moved to the near the airport car park with as the plane arrived and was washed down by the Boram Airport firefighters.
It arrived and before the casket was removed, the Q400 had to arrive with Lady Veronica and Prime Minister James Marape.
The casket was then officially ended over to the ESP Provincial Government. The procession led by the PNG Defence Force who marched from Boram to the Sir Michael Somare Stadium where it was greeted along the way by the people at Wewak.
Along the way wails of sorrow could be heard with people openly crying calling out Papa, Sana and Tunga.
He was taken into the stadium and laid as speeches were made.
The casket of Sir Michael was then taken to the home at NBC Street also known as Valley Lane.
On Monday, March 15 the casket of Sir Michael lay in state at the ESP Provincial Assembly for the last time.
His casket was received by the Chairman Governor Bird supported by West Sepik Governor Tony Wouwou.
It was released back to the home at NBC Compound before lying in a vigil at the Sir Michael Somare Stadium before the burial.

Final service and burial
Thousands packed the Sir Michael Somare Stadium in Wewak as they farewelled Grand Chief on Tuesday, March 16.
After the all-night vigil by many residents of Wewak and those that arrived from the surrounding districts and provinces across the country, the casket left the stadium at 6am.
It was taken to his home at the NBC Compound where it laid in preparation for the funeral service at the Stadium.
At about 11am the hearse bearing Sir Michael’s casket returned to stadium from his home at the NBC compound.
National Alliance Party members led by leader Patrick Pruaitch were some of the few people who arrived with the casket where it was greeted with hymns sung by the Wewak Catholic Church choir.
The songs sung were personal favourites of Sir Michael.
The casket was met by crying women, men and children as it entered the stadium for the last time for the funeral mass led by bishop of the Wewak Józef Roszy ski and Cardinal John Ribat.
Behind the casket Prime Minister James Marape arrived followed by Lady Veronica Somare.
Cardinal Ribat who told those who gathered that the greatest gift for the country was Sir Michael who led the country into Independence.
Youngest Daughter Dulciana Somare-Brash said that her father remained a simple man till his death and never raised his voice or held a grudge.
As the mass ended and the casket was carried out Major General Gilbert Toropo and Police Commissioner David Manning were part of the guard of honour extending to the stadium gate.
As his casket was moved out by the pall bearers, thousands moved closer to be with the man many referred to as the “Father of the Nation”.
Tears flowed freely with many saying he was the one true “papa”.
The hill leading to his final resting place was a sea of PNG and ESP flags as the hearse drove past.
Traffic was slow with many hoping to be allowed into the burial site. People ran beside the hearse all the way up the steep hill to see his casket off with the Kreer Hill road covered in flowers and palm leaves.
Security was tight with Police Commander Supt Albert Beli ensuring his men with the support of soldiers from Moem Barracks were on hand to control the crowd.
Families and close friends, government officials and a selected media personnel were the only ones allowed in to witness the burial.
He was farewelled by Prime Minister James Marape and a handful of Ministers.
The PNG flag draped over the casket for nearly a week was folded and presented to Lady Veronica by Maj-Gen Toropo including his framed medals.
Lady Veronica was supported by her daughters Dulciana, Betha and Emma as she farewelled her love with a single flower.
Farewell Grand Chief.