kevindayonga

In the early days of radio broadcasting in Papua New Guinea, dramas topped entertainment on air. Those were exciting times of nation-building with the then National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) leading the production of radio dramas out of the capital Port Moresby. Papua New Guineas’ rich oral culture originating from over 800 language groups place them among the most unique people in the world when it comes to passing on information. Traditional media including the slit gongs, hollowed drums, and conch shells now find their place in cultural performances more than a medium for passing on information. But storytelling remains constant in the ways it uses songs, chants, dance and art inspired by the environment, the elements, spirituality and lived experiences. Storytelling has changed a little though. People have become savvy at operating modern-day media having bare minimal support infrastructure for most of the gadgets. While not completely abandoning traditional mediums, th...

Construction accounts for almost 9% of Papua New Guinea’s GDP (2007). The government is taking the lead on stimulating construction in the country, with an emphasis on industrial development. It provides employment opportunities for a considerable number of Papua New Guinean men, women and with companies drawing their workforce from communities close to the project sites etc. many Papua New Guineans will at some point in their lives find casual employment in the construction industry. However in this industry, most employment opportunities are short term and very few Papua New Guineans build a career in construction. In the industrial hub of our country, a young Papua New Guinean has taken a bold step to venture into this vast, technical, yet challenging industry. Adam Steven Orong hails from New Ireland and Madang parentage, Lae brought up and is an adamant, strong willed young man that has beat all odds to venture into the world of construction. Adam inside one of the Modular Cont...

Hailing from Porebada village is 95-year-old Lahui Arua Tarupa the oldest renowned ceramic artist and instructor perhaps in the Motuan society. She carries on the age old tradition of women potters; Born in this coastal fishing village, in 1924, like any other Motuan woman growing up, it was customary that she learn the skills, art and technics of Pottery making from her mother and grandmother as well as the rituals surrounding this art of making pottery. Women Working on the clay. Almost a century today she and her children, her nieces and other relatives are clinging on that dying tradition by a thin thread to continue the legacy as acclaimed potters her people from that era have left behind. In history, the maiden Hiri voyage on a Lakatoi is said to have sailed out of Boera Village to Gulf, thus the Hiri Trade commonly known to many, formed an important part of the culture of trade by the Motuan and Gulf people. Travelling the harsh weather conditions to trade surpluses of clay po...

Below is a link to few of my stories, i found on the Earth Journalism Network site. Check the link to the stories; https://earthjournalism.net/people/kevin-dayonga

Determination, passion and love for their people are the driving forces behind the success of women leaders Francisca Moiwo, Cathy Yafu and Julie Alo, who are among many other PNG women that are silently working in their local communities extending the arm of services for the benefit of their people. These Papua New Guinean women have beat all odds to advance progress in their male-dominated and patrilineal communities. Each of the women has their own stories to tell, some similar, others unique and different from each other depending on the environment they operate from. They are resilient, adamant, skilful and are champions of their communities. They were brought in from their rural communities to be part of APEC which was held in Port Moresby in 2018. The senior officials meeting in Port Moresby was an opportunity for these rural women. For the three women that came in from the remote highlands, they have one shot at showcasing their products to delegates of APEC through their st...

One Particular area in Morobe province that has a remarkable war history and a natural harbour played an important role during World War II. The German’s called it Samoahafen situated on the north-eastern coastline of Morobe province. The settlement was built on a minor isthmus between the coast with mountains on the inland side and a headland. Today the coastline of these places face one of the biggest threats from the forces of nature. It has being a growing concern among the people. The issue of Sea level rise has done so much damage, that the people in this area see to it every day. Just 45 minutes out of Lae is Salamaua. Surrounded by white stretch of sandy beach, evergreen lush vegetation and incredible views. It used to be a town then before the war. The Japanese captured the place on 8 March 1942 during World War II. It was later retaken by Australian and United States forces led by General Douglas MacArthur on 11 September 1943 during the Salamaua-Lae campaign. During ...

A peanut farmer from the remote Arou village of Lake Kopiago in Southern Highlands Province was among women from the SME sector that converged at International Convention Center to showcase their produces and their work in their respective communities during the third Senior Officials meeting. Julie Alo who came under the Advancing PNG: Women Leaders Network is a trainer of trainers on Leadership and good governance training program in Hides and Juha areas. ‘’I came not only to participate but observe what the discussions are about. I’m thankful to those brave women who represented small holder women farmers and did a presentation on women’s participation in Agriculture. The economies that were present clearly got the message. From time to time the voices kept on re-emphasizing on partnership and networking among other economies. I’ am also happy that our very own authorities were present to hear our needs’’, she said. Peanut farming has generated a lot income in her local community, e...

The Twin Otter Dash 8 glided through the alto stratus as it descended into a clear patch leaving behind trails of jet blasts forming long pieces of white streaks as it passed through parts of the overcast Lake. The weather could have been more kind to the travelling City sleekers and a few tourists visiting Daga village to attend the Kutubu Kundu and Digaso festival. As the pilots maneuvered the plane into sight, the breathtaking view of the magnificent Lake sprawled across the vast landscape came into view; although covered by cumulonimbus spread across the horizon, a Czech citizen was amazed by its beauty. The plane's tyres screeched on the rough tarmac as it snapped my senses back into reality. We just arrived in Moro, a mining campsite in the heart of Kutubu, a vital income source feeding our national purse. For me, this was my 9th trip returning to this part of the country, not as a journalist in the mainstream but as a volunteer of Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival.   ...