by Juanita Nonwo – EM TV Online
Every year, show venues around Port Moresby host celebrations of provincial days. These provincial celebrations provide a great opportunity for locals and tourists alike to watch the various colourful cultures of PNG being displayed through singing and dancing, exotic local traditional dishes and mystical masks.
This year, the New Ireland Provincial Day coincided with Remembrance Day on July 23.
The event brings together the different New Ireland communities in Port Moresby, as well as those who are fascinated by the New Ireland culture.
It is on these occasions that you find distinct culture displayed in many different forms from one particular province.
Similar to many other provinces in Papua New Guinea, the songs and the dances performed depict the way of life, imitation or praise of sacred animals, gods and spirits.
A young Djaul community leader-from Djaul Island, Jolanda Nawara said “dances and songs that are composed back in the village talk about issues the villagers face.
The main meaning behind the dances are the stories behind it that address issues in our society, but there are also others about animals; my grandfather created one about crabs.”
There are even songs and dances that are inspired by the landscape of the area such as rivers, seas and mountains.
If there is anything that you should know about the culture of the New Ireland people it is that they are a society renowned for their singng and dancing. They are also rather fond of food, with any gathering sure to be filled with numerous dishes synonymous with their province.
