The passing of traditional knowledge

The biggest threat to traditional culture is the loss of knowledge.

A traditional group in Papua New Guinea’s Madang Province is not ready to lose this yet.

Kumura Foundation in the last week initiated a culture-based education program.

The first of such, the training is with the objective to revive the Gende (Bundi) Culture and pass these cultural skills to the younger generation to know, appreciate, keep and use where necessary to help improve their livelihood.

Founder Vincent Kumura said the reason for this was the fear that these unique cultural skills will become extinct once their elders pass away.

Hence, the training which ran from April 8 – 14 at the Snow Pass Eco-lodge in Bundi saw 10 trainers and 10 students participate.

These trainers came from all over Upper Bundi, ages from 45-66.

They taught the trainees (mostly students) unique culture-based skills in:

1. Nakai Woko (making various birds sounds through bamboo holes attached to the mouth)

2. Tagi (the cutting of select trees and shaping a wooden bowl or plate with designs)

3. Pumengi (blowing bamboo flute with four holes)

4. Tondu (making arm bands and head bands for traditional costumes; to wear for traditional singsing)

5. Making folks, spoons, scoops, etc from bamboos

6. Tambares (sharpening and making traditional bamboo jaws harps and playing different tunes)

Kumura said the night sessions were Nakai Woko - where students play the bamboos with their teachers coupled with mangoa (counselling the young ones with disciplinary traits and traits for a good life and living in the community) and pigo (legends or tumbuna stories).

“The program was historical and colourful,” he said.

The program ended with a mini exhibition at the Snow Pass market on April 14, preceded by the performing of different musical instruments which the students learnt during the week.

This exhibition was attended by over 200 men, women and children from the nearby tribes of Mendi and Nombri.

Kumura thanks Era Resources Inc, Yandera Mining Company, Bishnu Damai of Kundiawa, Snow Pass Eco-lodge, Kumura Foundation Team and individuals who helped made the event a great success.

He looks forward to a bigger one in 2019.

(Picture courtesy of Kumura Foundation)

Author: 
Gloria Bauai