KUTUBU CELEBRATES 9TH FESTIVAL - 2019

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.

                                             The Author with Huli dancers. 

The cool breeze welcomed us as we disembarked from the airline. On the other side of the airport, the contractors are still busy working, choppers landing and taking off at a far distant – kumuls (Birds of Paradise) danced on the top of the branches as if imitating the movement of the helicopter. While the extractions happening beneath the earth, the beauty of this region displayed itself with ease as we hit the road. My newfound friend Vaclav Pistora was struck in awe as his eyes darted left to right, trying to absorb the rainforest and its many wonders. With a few stops at the roadside market, the City sleekers plunged at the 'buai' tables before the long ride to the festival venue. An hour's ride to the festival village was daunting for those who had never travelled this highway. For some local first-timers, the development question was bombarding their minds; it didn't matter for the tourists. This was an adventure of a lifetime to see a new place and experience different cultures, local food, and many other things. Despite the drizzle, it was a rousing welcome when we arrived in the evening; the locals were already welcoming each of us. From a distance, one could hear Kundu(drums) beats accompanied by chants and various instruments tantalising the ears with its sweetest authentic melody.

 

Bird of Paradise Dancers. Welcome to Daga Village – the home of the Kutubu Kundu and Digaso festivals. My friend Vaclav was overwhelmed by the hospitality. He flew three days from his native Czech Republic to see the cultural extravaganza that has been happening for the past 9 years. "I fell in love with PNG years ago and decided to come back the second time. I came last year, and it blew my mind. I wanted to see something authentic, staged in a village rather than in towns. I wanted to experience life in this area, the food, the people and the environment they live in. For the second time, I was still caught in awe; the atmosphere was so welcoming, and the people were full of energy and danced with pride, mimicking birds and telling their own stories in that form. "They danced for two days from morning till evening with minimum breaks. I loved the exquisite colours; each painting depicted different stages of their lives and the clans they represented. The authenticity is beyond any tourist's imagination". "The canoe race at Lake Kutubu was another spectacular display. Seeing men and women compete in the race was an amazing experience."

 

Vaclav talking to Constance Koriwa from NBCTV. 

"The festival was well planned, and the organisers were beneficial. They ensured I got on the flight, housed at the festival village, given food and enjoyed the warm hospitality. I noticed that people are very reliable without telephones; they don't rely on all this technology to make them happy. This was something different from where I come from," he said.
    Daga women performing a mourning song. 

The theme "Strongim na Wok Bung Wantaim" calls for local communities to share ideas, strengthen each other and work together to enhance growth in their communities.

 

Bosavi Women. 

The festival continues to bring hope to more than 40 indigenous conservation communities from Kutubu, Bosavi and Kikori areas and those from Hela, Enga and the nearby Local Level Government areas. Organiser Saina Jeffrey Philyara says this festival has united communities and opened opportunities for tourism and other sustainable means of development initiatives benefiting more than fifteen thousand people.

Digaso Oil Demonstration. 

 "The Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival is a celebration of Indigenous cultures. It plays a vital role in safeguarding traditional practices and the people's diverse biodiversity and cultural heritage. It provides a forum to highlight the sharing and exchanging of cultural knowledge for their well-being, establish a deeper understanding and build long-term friendship," she said.

 

Since 2011, the event has brought together people from more than 40 different indigenous communities and tourists worldwide to experience its exquisite, authentic and fascinating cultural fiesta in this remote part of Papua New Guinea. All the performance was exclusively performed in front of the Kutubu's longhouse, which plays a significant role in the lives of the Kutubu people. Minister for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Hon Emil Tamur, was amazed at the turnout. "All your oil, gas and other minerals will go, but your tradition, your culture will continue, and the future generations will carry on that legacy. I'd like you to hold on to your culture; it identifies who you are. Where ever you go, show it to the world. To the young people, customs and traditions come with respect; give it to where it is due and draw from your elders. You will never go wrong. "Tourism is number one and will continue to strive in our society." Tourism Promotion Authority will continue to support this event, and we will continue to give another 100 thousand kinas next year", said Minister Tamur.

 

Tourism Minister Emil Tamur with TPA CEO and festival committees. 

Ms Philyara alludes that the festival is the only platform created to showcase Kutubu's uniquely rich biological and cultural diversity to the world. "Our participation in this festival allows us to connect to other people and enable us to break barriers, forge mutual respect and appreciate one another. We have seen growth and interest among people in the communities, individual tourists and tour operators over the past years, and we'd like to see that continue,".

                                                               Huli Wigmen

 Festival Chairman James Irimaru regards this event as a platform to promote the Kutubu region and Bosavi, Samberigi, Kikori and Hela simultaneously, preserving their cultural heritage and living environment."Like any other community in the country, we have a fair share of issues hindering our progress. This sustainable development program initiated 9 years ago has empowered many people here in Daga and those that come and participate. We'd like to think that we are a model community.

 We want to see other communities learn from us and develop sustainable ways of interesting development in their areas. We are committed to maintaining the festival. Our people are resilient and have always been good hosts to our visitors,".

A Tourist from the Netherlands having his face painted.

"We are thankful that with the ongoing support from developers like Oil Search, ExxonMobil, government agencies such as National Cultural Commission, PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, Southern Highlands provincial administration, landowner companies such as Petroleum Recourses Kutubu, Mineral Resources Development Cooperation, and the hard-working NGOs, their never-ending assistance and support rendered by organisations like Advancing PNG Women Leaders Network, Community Development Initiative, World Wildlife Fund for Nature, Kutubu Local level government, Lake Kutubu Environment Foundation, Tubo Lodge enterprise limited, Nipa Kutubu Council of Women, Mt Bosavi Eco-Tourism and Piku Biodiversity network has made the festival reach greater heights," said Mr Irimaru. He added that people like Vaclav Pistora, who travelled from the other side of the world to come and see the authentic cultural fiesta, are a blessing to us. He hopes Vaclav's experience for the past two years will open pathways for more tourists to come from Europe.

 

Kutubu Women participating in a Canoe race, Lake Kutubu. 

For Vaclav Pistora, the experience of this Czech native is second to none, and he plans to revisit the festival in the coming years. The festival was held from the 19th – 21st in Daga Village and Lake Kutubu.

                                            Vaclav taking pictures.

                                                    

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