Zumin annual pottery exhibition set for next month

 By ISAIAH IGISH

PREPARATIONS are underway for the 13th annual Zumim Pottery Exhibition to be staged at Zumim village, Markham, Morobe.

The exhibition, registered as an annual cultural event by the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority and the Morobe Tourisim Bureau, will be staged from Sept 7-8. 

The event will exhibit the process of making Markham’s famous clay pot called gurr.

The Markhams – from two LLGs of Umi-Atzera and Onga-Waffa – will showcase the art of making clay pots for all occasions at Zumim village, located a three hours drive out of Lae.

Zumim Pottery Club president Yaring Sasu said the exhibition would host various cultural singsing groups from the area.

“This is an occasion to showcase what Markham has to offer to the outside world,” Sasu said.

“Apart from Zumim village, Tsak’rak, Ragiampun and Atzunas villages will showcase their art of making their clay pots.”

Considered as the food bowl of Papua New Guinea – because of its vast fertile valley – Markham is one of the only districts in the country where clay pots are used on a daily basis for cooking. 

The village has become famous – apart from the cultural event – after the death of outspoken spiritual leader and evangelist Pastor Joseph Kingal in October, 2010, at the notorious Zumim Bailey Bridge along the Highlands Highway.