The third annual Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival ended on a high note overthe weekend.
There was a vibrant display of traditional dances to promote cultural identity and importantlythe environmentofrom whichthe Kutubu people depend heavily on.
The festival was held in Daga village, in Pimaga, Kutubu District.
The Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival was officially recognized bythe National Cultural Commission in February this year. It is now an annual national event.
The festival was a community initiative. This year’s event was supported bytheWorld Wide Fund for Nature, Community DevelopmentInitiative, Oil Search, Kutubu Recruitment Services, Trans WonderLand, Mineral Resources Development Company andthe National Gaming and Control Beard.
“Before becoming LLG PresidentoI’ve seen whatthese organizations have done for the people and I will supportthem for the sake ofthe local community,” John Kila, Kutubu LLG President-elect.
The Aima’i Culture Group from Kikori inthe Gulf province travelled more than a day, arriving just in time for the first day ofthe festival.
“My culture is very important to me. I want to keep it going. I am very pleased to be here to seethe Highlands culture and learn from itoandthey will learn from mine,” Kouwo Ara, Veraibari Singsing Group.
The group performed a traditional dance calledthe Gerebadi. It is a dance that tellsthe story ofthe journey of two sisters who travelled from Kikori to Samarai in Milne Bey province.
The renowned Besavi people travelled for a week to part take inthe festival. Their distinct traditional costumes and chants added vigor tothe event. It was eye-catching and impressive.
They performed alongsidethe local Kutubu dancers, andthe brightly painted women of Gobe-Samberigi.
The highlight ofthe whole festival wasthe Digaso oil extraction demonstration. The Digaso oil is collected fromthe Digaso tree trunk and traded withthe Huli people for pigs, saltocowries and stone axes. There was also a presentation ofthe various types of kundu drums, andthe Daga women came forward withtheir basket weaving techniques.
The environment ofthe Kutubu people is vital totheir cultural identity and livelihood, as shown bythe demonstrations.
The University of Canberra and CDI tookthe opportunity to educate locals onthe importance of preservingtheir natural habitat. They chosethe younger generation to impart this knowledge.
“Children havethe impact ontheir families and homes. They can create awareness intheir own homes,” Yolarnie Amepou – Masters StudentoPig Nose Turtle Project.
The festivaltheme ‘Our ForestoOur Culture’ challengedthe Kutubu community to address development through environment preservation, biodiversity and cultural identity.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=3lAuhnubrNk%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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