Storytelling and passing on legends is a strong feature in Papua New Guinea’s culture and traditions.
Stella Magazine launched a project called, ‘Spoken Word’ aimed at encouraging Papua New Guineans to pass on their knowledge through poetry and short stories.
Organized by founder and editor of Stella Magazine, Amanda Donigi, and Spoken Word Artist, Hansley Gumbaket, the Project is hoping to provide a platform for contemporary voices in PNG and the Pacific.
Poetry reading and a live audience, the spoken word project kept the audience captivated.
This anticipated project can become a platform for Papua New Guineans young and old to tell their stories.
This is the first event of more to come at Cuppa Time Café that will take place in Port Moresby in 2018.
Ms Donogi says this platform can be used by writers, poets or anybody who want to share their voice.
Hansley Gumbaket, is a spoken word artist who has been writing poetry and short stories.
On the night of the launching, Hansley performed his poetry based on sorcery related violence that is eating into the fabrics of PNG societies.
A senior citizen, Steven Ilave senior, an economist by profession, was also there to present a poem from his over 200 written poems that are yet to be published.
Another Writer, Lapieh Landu, who usually has her poetry published in the Stella magazine, read her poem written for her daughter.
For those interested to participate in the next Spoken word Project event, you can contact Amanda Donogi through Stella Magazines’ official website : hello@stellamag.com | facebook.com/stellamagpng.
