By Theckla Gunga – EM TV Port Moresby
The West Papuan students from the University of Papua New Guinea have successfully celebrated the first West Papua National Day in Port Moresby on Saturday.
The celebration was aimed at bringing the West Papuans living in Port Moresby together to celebrate their identity as one people.
The celebrations included dancers from Sorong, Manok Wari, Jayapura and Serui areas of West Papua. And they displayed their culture through the beat of the drums.
National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop was at the event and encouraged West Papuans to develop their human resources in PNG and said the West Papuan people must become involved in the business sector.
He said though he supports the West Papuan’s struggle for independence, and he wants West Papuans to express their desire for freedom through their culture and language.
Parkop also said he is willing to assist any West Papua Organisation in Port Moresby that is focused on building the welfare of the people.
He said despite West Papuans still living under Indonesian rule, much of the culture has been well-preserved and passed on to the subsequent generations.
Parkop also announced that the West Papuan National Day will become an annual event, to be celebrated in the nation’s capital.
Under the theme “Embracing our Culture beyond Boundaries”, the day was celebrated with contemporary and traditional dances from seven groups in West Papua.
