A gathering of the eight Keto-Tapasi clans – the Preparation

Continued from: A gathering of the eight Keto-Tapasi clans – the Welcome.

For three days and nights the eight Keto-Tapasi Clans rejoiced. Young and old, they danced and they sang, they celebrated the traditions of their ancestors. Men that had never worn bilas before did so for the first time. The old sat down with the young to teach them the intricacies of body decoration. Over the three day period singsing groups from all over Kaubasis expressed custom with spontaneity and pride. Many an old folk told me how they had not witnessed such a display of unity and community spirit since they were young kids.

To witness and be a part of a PNG Cultural Show is spectacular to say the least. To be a part of and witness the expression of Highlands sing and dance within the familiar surroundings of the village setting and without the restrictions of a Cultural Festival is an entirely different story. What unfolded in the village over the three days is something that your average run of the mill tourist is unlikely to ever experience. I said it before and I’m going to say it again – the sense of privilege to be a part of this celebration will forever remain indescribable.

Young and old gather at the Keto-Tapasi launch

(Young and old gather at the Keto-Tapasi Progress Association launch)

My account of the official launch of the Keto-Tapasi Progress Association will be chronological and in quasi point form.

Wednesday 22nd of October:

- Around mid morning a group of community leaders gathered on the road next to our “hut” to discuss and finalise the program and preparations for the following day. I was asked to participate and contribute to this meeting – I reminded them that local MP’s and other invited VIP’s were unlikely to attend – I stressed to the group that the Thursday celebration remain focused on the people from the Keto-Tapasi village(s) and not divert to so called big-men that had absolutely no input or contribution to what we had achieved so far.

Meeting with elders on road next to "Hut"

(Two clan elders discuss preparations for next day’s celebration)

- Towards the tail end of this meeting a very interesting thing happened. Two singsing groups from Iraupa and Maneku clans turned up out front of the “Hut” for a bit of a practice run so to speak. I was told by Uncle Russell that a singsing group had not visited this particular part of Kaubasis since he was a young lad. As well, this was the first time since a tribal fight 12 years ago that the Maneku Clan as a group ventured in to this part of the valley. The tribal fight a decade or so ago was between the Bolku and Maneku clans – around 12 people died during the fighting. Hopefully you can now see how the three days of celebration was more than just a sing and a dance but filled with something much greater and far reaching that what meets the eye.

The Maneku Clan at Waraguma

(The Maneku Clan rock up on our doorstep on the Wednesday)

- Towards the tail end of the morning meeting and after a brief consultation with Eli – we made a decision (a difficult one) to slaughter our one and only pig “Princess” the following day. After deciding to put Mrs “Princess” Oink to the club we took our little baby down to the river and gave her an extra long bath followed by an extra nutritious meal of sweet potato and pineapple. Within hours “Princess” was ready to be “clubbed” and BBQ’d.

- Highlands culture is full of protocols and although it all appears simple on the surface it can be quiet complex when you get down to the nitty gritty. Eli’s Uncle “Mr Man” who was nominated to Club and Operate on Princess was required by custom to ask the owner(s) before doing the deed. Once permission was given it wasn’t long before Princess was sizzling away in the mumu pit. Needless to share that we both shed a tear or two.

"Mr Man" asking my permission to club Princess