Two Tubuan Masks from Tanga Islands of New Island province have been donated tothe National Museum overthe weekend during a small traditional ceremony.
The ceremony was staged atthe National Museum and Arts Gallery located behind Parliament Haus.
It’sthe first time for Tubuan Masks to be displayed inthe National Museum for visitors to view.
The two masks are named ‘To-Ungega and To-Kiena’. They are priceless cultural master pieces which date back as far as ten generations.
As part ofthe custom,the spirits attached tothe masks were removerd in a sacred ritual before handing it over.
Minister for Tourism Arts and Culture Beka Kondra receivedthe two Tubuan masks atthe small ceremony;the ritual never seen outside Tanga Island.
Minister Kondra congratulatedthe Tanga group. He emphasizedthe importance ofthe older generation passingthe traditional knowledge tothe younger generation.
The Ministersaid he is committed to working closely with Museum Director Dr. Andrew Moutu to improver storage facility.
Dr. Moutu saidthe Museum is responsible to not only displaythe Tubuan Masks but also to document and preservethe stories behindthe masks.
Dr. Andrew Moutu is also encouraging ethnic tribes to donate artifacts tothe Museum.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=kDiN-6KupE8%3Ffeature%3Doembed%26wmode%3Dopaque%26showinfo%3D0%26showsearch%3D0%26rel%3D0
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