One of the special traits about melanesian culture is the element of human interaction. Also, if one is lucky enough to have a house in a town somewhere - as we do - there will never be a shortage of family or clan members needing a place to crash for day or two (or more) that coming knocking on the front gate.
This peculiarity of papua new guinean and other melanesian cultures is something that can and does easily get out of control. And when it’s out of control its not such a nice thing - if it was up to the clan and the clan alone, there would now be 100’s of family members camped out in our home and yard - with a fridge and the rest of the house totally empty. Luckily, we manage whom we allow inside the fence very tightly and when the odd family member does stay for a stint - it can be quite relaxing and fun.
Last night was one of those fun nights. There were four of us: Eli, Mama Blogan - who lives with us, Joseph - one of Eli’s many uncles and myself. We sat around, storied and laughed - it was one of those evenings that brought some much needed lightness.
Mama has a crook neck and when she laughs the muscles around that part of her body spasm and she experiences pain. Eli has just had a fairly major operation in her lower abdomen and is also the victim of pain when she starts laughing.
To the detriment and physical discomfort of both Mama and Eli they have lately been egging each other - basically cracking jokes with the aim of getting the other to laugh. Last night they were both going at each other and the end result were two extremely traumatised ladies.
I also took the opportunity last night to give away a few items. I still have a cupboard full of stuff which has been sent over by family and friends over time. Occasionally and when the time feels right - I do what I call a give-away - the little things in life are very often the best.
(Mama Blogan having a chuckle and also holding a purse I gave her - which was sent to me to give away by the family back in Oz)
(Uncle Joseph from Fatao - Eli’s Mum village in Eastern Highlands - also showing having a giggle - whilst wearing and holding a couple of T-Shirts - which were sent over by my brother John)
(Eli - still recovering after her operation last week - has started doing her bilum work again - but (I know her) is sitting there trying to look serious and hold back to laughter).
(And yours truly with Mama Blogan - I’m pulling faces for those that don’t know me - I don’t normally look like that!!)
And whilst on the subject of lightness and joviality I would like to tell you about a short story written by a fellow PNG blogger - he goes by the name of MadDog. MadDog posted a story today called: “The Most Useless Object on the Planet”. It’s a great read and although I have never met or spoken to the author I really like what he shares. MadDog has the uncanny ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary through his writings. Click here if you would like a laugh.
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Papua New Guineans have a great sense of humour
One of the special traits about melanesian culture is the element of human interaction. Also, if one is lucky enough to have a house in a town somewhere - as we do - there will never be a shortage of family or clan members needing a place to crash for day or two (or more) that coming knocking on the front gate.
This peculiarity of papua new guinean and other melanesian cultures is something that can and does easily get out of control. And when it’s out of control its not such a nice thing - if it was up to the clan and the clan alone, there would now be 100’s of family members camped out in our home and yard - with a fridge and the rest of the house totally empty. Luckily, we manage whom we allow inside the fence very tightly and when the odd family member does stay for a stint - it can be quite relaxing and fun.
Last night was one of those fun nights. There were four of us: Eli, Mama Blogan - who lives with us, Joseph - one of Eli’s many uncles and myself. We sat around, storied and laughed - it was one of those evenings that brought some much needed lightness.
Mama has a crook neck and when she laughs the muscles around that part of her body spasm and she experiences pain. Eli has just had a fairly major operation in her lower abdomen and is also the victim of pain when she starts laughing.
To the detriment and physical discomfort of both Mama and Eli they have lately been egging each other - basically cracking jokes with the aim of getting the other to laugh. Last night they were both going at each other and the end result were two extremely traumatised ladies.
I also took the opportunity last night to give away a few items. I still have a cupboard full of stuff which has been sent over by family and friends over time. Occasionally and when the time feels right - I do what I call a give-away - the little things in life are very often the best.
(Mama Blogan having a chuckle and also holding a purse I gave her - which was sent to me to give away by the family back in Oz)
(Uncle Joseph from Fatao - Eli’s Mum village in Eastern Highlands - also showing having a giggle - whilst wearing and holding a couple of T-Shirts - which were sent over by my brother John)
(Eli - still recovering after her operation last week - has started doing her bilum work again - but (I know her) is sitting there trying to look serious and hold back to laughter).
(And yours truly with Mama Blogan - I’m pulling faces for those that don’t know me - I don’t normally look like that!!)
And whilst on the subject of lightness and joviality I would like to tell you about a short story written by a fellow PNG blogger - he goes by the name of MadDog. MadDog posted a story today called: “The Most Useless Object on the Planet”. It’s a great read and although I have never met or spoken to the author I really like what he shares. MadDog has the uncanny ability to turn the ordinary into the extraordinary through his writings. Click here if you would like a laugh.