By Patricia Keamo – EMTV News, Port Moresby
For over forty years, the Motu-Koita and Hiri Moale festivals have been a part of Port Moresby. This year, Motu-Koita Chairman, Dadi Toka jr, has stated that they are planning on doing things differently.
Starting this weekend, the Motu Koita Music Festival will get underway, and continue until September culminating in the Hiri Moale festival.
“We want to make sure that the agriculturalist aspect of this event is a main focus…hence starting this weekend, we will be hosting a music festival…I guess we wanted to remove, I guess commercialisation or the modernisation of that event,” stated the Motu-Koita Chairman.
Toka says this is to ensure that the actual festival is purely of cultural significance to the Motuans.
The biggest attraction for the event over the years has always been the re-enactment of the Hiri trade voyage cycle.
With tourists expected domestically as well as from overseas, the arrival of the Lakatoi the traditional trading vessel, and the Hiri Hanenamo Pageant crowning night, Toka says the event will feature an array of traditional activities which include pottery, tattoo, storytelling, traditional attire and food.
Beverage company SP Brewery’s Managing Director Stan Joyce presented a cheque worth twenty-five thousand kina in support saying they are dedicated to giving back to Papua New Guinea, by supporting and promoting the country’s unique cultural festivals.
“At the South Pacific Brewery, we are very happy to be able to respectfully use those cultures and traditions in a way that they can be showcased and brought to people in the true spirit that they’re meant.”
From 3rd August to 21st September will be the Vanagi Canoe Race and the Hiri Moale festival event is set for 21st and 22nd September.
