By Edwin Fidelis – EMTV News, Kokopo
The 2019 Warwagira and Mask Festival is set to kick off in Kokopo tomorrow morning. It will be launched with the spectacular Kinavai dancers at Raluana, on the outskirts of Kokopo town.
The festival marks a cultural tribute among the East New Britain people – the Tolai, Baining and Pomio.
A large group of people are expected to gather as early as 4am to witness the start of the festival where tumbuans will be ferried on canoes across the sea.
The Warwagira and mask festival is one of the biggest tourism events in the East New Britain provincial events’ calendar that falls on July every year.
The annual cultural event will be a 4 day extravaganza of cultural dances, ritual performances, storytelling and exchange along with a variety of arts and crafts on display.
This year marks the 24th anniversary of the festival since its inception in 1995.
