A “Ihu” word meaning “father”.
Last Saturday I headed to the Lae International Airport (Nadzab) with Goasa and his family to meet and pickup Goasa’s Dad. I have known and worked with Goasa (same office) now for close to 12 months and have been looking forward to this meeting for some time.
Goasa’s Dad is from a village called “Ihu” which lies on the Gulf Province, about a day’s walk (for a PNG man/women) west of Kerema. A true village man.
Last night Goasa and his Dad popped in for a visit and a coffee. We chatted and told stories for a good couple of hours. One of the things I found out was that “Oa” can still climb a coconut tree !! My guess is that he would have to be close to 70 years old. Not bad for an old man !!
Whenever I get the opportunity to meet and talk with some of the “old” folk I feel a real sense of privilege. To hear stories about the “old” days and “old” ways inevitably puts me into state of awe. See, I have this curiosity for the “old” ways and the old folk here in PNG are an incredible source of such information. It saddens me to see the “old” ways slowly disappearing, change is in our faces no matter where we live.
I asked “Oa” about this loss of the “old” ways and he seemed very accepting. He said that change has been coming for a long time and loss is a natural part of this “change” process. How very true. In fact, his village “Ihu” is still without power and his view is that he cannot wait until power is connected. In other words his view is that : power will be a good thing for his village. Progress always comes.
I did capture some photos last Saturday at and around Nadzab (airport) of Goasa and his family. These can be viewed in the Pickup Goasa’s Dad from Nadzab (18/3/06) photo album.
I was HT at Arehava PS in 1961-63. Ihu was a Government station and landing on the Vailala river for local coastal shipping. Arehava is about 15 miles further west around the bay from Ihu and is the last village before the delta. In those times it was a very isolated posting. Teachers were not encouraged and even warned about travelling to the big smoke (Kerema) during school holidays. Quite a few teachers remained at their school for months on end. A good incentive to learn Motu or the local talk.
Did you ever learn any of the local lingo?
Languages from around that part of PNG sound so different to the “Tok Ples” up here in the Highlands.
Who knows you might even have taught or run into “Oa” at some stage during your stay.
R
I only remember a few words in Orokolo. Oa, Kadida and pelahekai. In my time there my House Cookie taught me Hiri Motu.
Kev