Women’s group showcases culture

ABOUT 1,000 Lutheran church women in Yabem district, Morobe are showcasing their cultural life skills and knowledge, blending them with their evangelism mission.
Yabem district women piloted the “Women in Culture” festival in 2017 involving its 14 circuits: Lae city, Wampar, Lae, Sangang, Kaiapit, Wantoat, Buang, Aseki, Menyamya, Malaclo, Yabem, Deka, Laulu and Kaintiba.
Festival chairman Yatap Matere said the event from, Sept 7-13 at Gabmazung, was being hosted by the Wampar circuit.
Matere said the event focused on encouraging gender equality, equal participation and literacy for women.
“These are showcased through various traditional and cultural songs, dances, cooking methods, storytelling, bilum weaving, exchange of ideas, offerings and sports,” Matere said.
“The festival is to encourage our traditional way of life, especially the skills and knowledge in cooking, weaving bilums, dancing and songs, family planning, children rearing, how young girls are taught to look after themselves during menstruation period and more.
“Maintaining our indigenous way of life reflects who we are and what we are as women that reflects our womanhood and our abilities and earn the respect of our menfolk,” Matere said.
She said the aim was to encourage indigenous ways of life while allowing women to become innovative with those knowledge to blend them in creative ways to generate income.