Wewo, “the Bird of No-Turning-Back” from New Guinea Island

The Isle of New Guinea

Figure 1. The Isle of New Guinea: West Papua and Papua New Guinea Nation States 

In the dense jungles of New Guinea, there is said to be a mysterious and elusive bird known as Wewo in Lani Language of western New Guinea. Wewo literally means, “The Bird of No Turning Back”. Locals in New Guinea call in many different thousands of languages, but in Lani, it means the bird that teaches human beings to be commissioned, committed, and consistent and no turning back whatsoever for whatever reason.

This bird is not the same as the general Bird of Paradise known by the world. In fact, in local languages in New Guinea, different species of the Bird of Paradise are called in totally different names. For example, the commonly known bird of paradise, Goldie’s bird of paradise (Paradisaea decora) is called Wolem in Lani Language. And the ribbon-tailed astrapia is medium-sized, up to 32 cm long, is called Wewo.

 

Scientifically, it is known as Astrapia, a genus of birds-of-paradise. The genus contains five species, all endemic to New Guinea. The males have highly iridescent plumage and remarkably long tails. Females are duller and have shorter tails.

 

The ribbon-tailed astrapia is medium-sized, up to 32 cm long (without including the tail of the male, which can be over 1 metre). Male ribbon-tailed astrapia are generally around 125 cm whereas females are around 35 cm. The body of males are velvet black. The male has an iridescent olive green and bronze plumage and is adorned with ornamental “ball” plume above its bill and two extremely long, ribbon-like white tail feathers. The female has a much duller brown and black body with an iridescent head. Unlike males, females do not have the long white tails.

Figure 2. One the Left of the Screen is WEWO, and on the Right of You is the Famous Wolem

 

The Meaning of Wewo

Many stories and myths surround Wewo, with some claiming that it can lead the paths towards destination, it knows where to go even there are obstacles of clouds, rains, landslides and thunder, high tides or slopes, whatsoever. It knows what to do at the steps and stages of the journey, until it reaches the end destination. It knows the end before starting. 

 

Even though many times it sacrifices its own life, it never changes its way of running life all the time with its motto: “always move forward, even death is the risk for doing so”.

 

The legend of Wewo has been passed down through generations in New Guinea, with many tribes holding ceremonies and rituals to honour the bird or its teachings and examples in this every-changing earth and progressive worlds. It is believed that those who seek out Wewo with pure intentions will be granted wisdom and guidance that can help them navigate the challenges of life.

 

Wewo has nothing to do with myth or superstition, it is a life machine, that gives light on how to lead the way and reach the goal. The Bird of No Turning Back continues to teach and during its life on earth, it becomes life examples for human beings to learn, both good and bad sides of “no-turning-back principle” in life.

Benefits of the Principle of “No-Turning-Back”

The principle of "No Turning Back" is a mindset that is commonly associated with perseverance, determination, and resilience. It is the idea that once you commit to a goal or a decision, you will not allow yourself to give up or turn, you will not allow others to turn you away, regardless of the obstacles or challenges that may arise. This principle has many benefits and can greatly impact your personal and professional life in positive way.

 

One of the main of incorporating the principle of "No Turning Back" into your life is that it helps resilience and mental strength. By committing to a goal or decision and sticking with it no matter what, you are training your mind to overcome obstacles and challenges with determination and perseverance. This mindset can help you push through difficult times and setbacks, ultimately leading to greater success and achievement.

 

Another benefit of the principle of "No Turning Back" is that it can help you stay focused and motivated. When you commit to a goal or decision and make a conscious decision not to give up, you are more likely to stay motivated and on track. This can help you maintain consistency in your efforts and ultimately reach your desired outcome. This will help you not to turn to the side or turn back when noises arise around you. It will keep you always focus on one and the only direction: forward!

 

Additionally, the principle of "No Turning Back" can help you build self-discipline and improve your self-confidence. When you are able to stick with your decisions and commitments, even when faced with challenges or setbacks, you are proving to yourself that you are capable of achieving your goals. This can boost your self-confidence and help you develop a greater sense of self-discipline. This will also raise the confidence of others around you to trust in your commitment and steps in leadership or to be among them.

 

In a professional setting, the principle of "No Turning Back" can also be beneficial. It can demonstrate to your colleagues and superiors that you are committed and dedicated to your work, which can help you stand out and advance in your career. Employers value employees who are determined and persistent in achieving their goals and incorporating this principle into your work ethic can help you make a positive impression in the workplace.

 

Overall, the principle of "No Turning Back" has many benefits that can positively impact both your personal and professional life. By committing to your goals and decisions with determination and perseverance, you can build resilience, stay focused and motivated, and improve your self-discipline and self-confidence. Incorporating this mindset into your life can help you achieve greater success and fulfilment in all aspects of your life. By learning from the “Bird of No-Turning Back”, Wewo in Lani language of Western New Guinea, we humble ourselves to be committed and say that, “Yes, it is possible, and it is realistic to be forward moving persons, at whatever costs, as we believe, we will finally arrive to the shore!”

Advantages and Disadvantages of “No-Turning-Back” Principle in Life

The principle of " Turning Back" is often a popular mantra in various aspects of life, including personal decisions, business ventures, and even relationships. This principle emphasizes the importance of commitment, determination, and perseverance in achieving one's goals. While this principle can be incredibly beneficial, it also comes with its own set of advantages disadvantages.

Advantages:

1. Commitment: One of the greatest advantages of abiding by the principle of "No Turning Back" is the commitment it instils in individuals. By making a firm decision to not look or give up when faced challenges, individuals are more likely to stay focused and dedicated to their goals.

 

2. Persistence: The principle of "No Turning Back" encourages individuals to push through obstacles and setbacks, regardless of how difficult they may seem. This persistence can help individuals overcome challenges and achieve success in the long run.

 

3. Resilience: By adopting this principle, individuals can build resilience and develop a strong mindset that can help them navigate through tough times. This resilience can be incredibly beneficial in overcoming adversity and bouncing back from failures.

 

4. Goal achievement: The principle of "No Turning Back" can help individuals stay on track and work towards their goals with unwavering determination. This can lead to greater success and fulfilment in both personal and professional endeavours.

Disadvantages:

1. Stubbornness: While commitment and perseverance are important qualities, the principle of "No Turning Back" can sometimes lead individuals to be too stubborn or inflexible in their decisions. This can prevent them from recognizing when it may be necessary to change course or reevaluate their goals.

 

2. Risk: The principle of "No Turning Back" can sometimes blind individuals to the potential risks and consequences of their decisions. In some cases, it may be necessary to reassess and adapt plans in order to mitigate risks and avoid potential failures.

 

3. Burnout: Constantly pushing forward without allowing for breaks or reflection can lead to burnout and exhaustion. It's important for individuals to recognize when it may be necessary to take a step back, regroup, and recharge in order to maintain a healthy balance.

 

4. Missed opportunities: By adhering strictly to the principle of "No Turning Back," individuals may miss out on valuable opportunities for growth, learning, and development. It's important to strike a balance between commitment and flexibility in order to maximize potential opportunities.

 

In conclusion, while the principle of "No Turning Back" can be a powerful motivator and driver of success, progressive way of life, it's important for everyone to approach it with a sense of balance and moderation. By staying committed and focused on their goals while also remaining open to change and adaptation, one can reap the benefits of this principle while minimizing its potential drawbacks.

 

For Wewo, it is clear from the meaning and philosophical principles that consistently progressive is the approach, while acknowledging that risks will always arise, but the task for Wewo is not on the obstacles, even not to the risks for life, but of the destination of the journey of life. It means, when the clouds block the sight, Wewo needs to fly higher than the clouds; and when facing high tides, Wewo always tries to climb up and down with the tides, not against it. It is definitely clear,  that the world “turn back” does not exist in the living dictionary of Wewo, by default, this machine is made for forward only, it has no “retrieve” or “rewind” button.