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As Papua New Guinea reaches its 50th anniversary of independence, we must ensure that the way we celebrate reflects our true identity, heritage, and ancestral wisdom.
This historic occasion is not just a political milestone, it is a reaffirmation of our existence as the most culturally diverse nation on Earth, shaped by thousands of years of Melanesian traditions.
It is important that this celebration is not merely a public showcase, but a deep, meaningful acknowledgment of our tribal customs, spiritual beliefs, and governance structures rooted in our land, our elders, and our ancestral houses.
The Pacific community has walked alongside us, but this moment must be led by Papua New Guineans and our Melanesian counterparts, whose voices hold the stories of our journey.
Reviving the Wisdom of Our Elders.
The strength of PNG and Melanesia has always been upheld by our elders and custodians of cultural knowledge. Our history, our struggles, victories, and shared wisdom, must be revived and stored within the sacred spaces of our people:
- In the Haus Man, of the Highlands, where leadership, warrior traditions, and survival knowledge are passed down.
- In the, Haus Tambaran of the coastal regions, where spirit houses safeguard ancestral stories, artistic expression, and tribal law.
These spaces are more than buildings; they are pillars of our identity carrying the weight of our governance, conservation practices, and oral traditions that have shaped PNG for centuries.
Ancestral Governance & Conservation for the Future.
Modern systems have influenced our governance, but it is our traditional way of leadership consensus, respect for elders, and communal wealth sharing that has sustained our people. As we face climate change and environmental degradation, it is time to TURN BACK to our ancestral conservation practices:
- Protecting sacred lands and ensuring that forests, rivers, and reefs remain untouched by destructive industries.
- Reviving seasonal harvesting, sustainable fishing, and traditional agriculture where nature is respected, not exploited.
- Passing down tribal ecological knowledge about native plants, wildlife, and spiritual connections to the land.
Our ancestors never needed modern tools to safeguard nature. They understood balance, taking only what was needed and ensuring future generations inherited a healthy world. That wisdom must now guide us forward.
A Call to the People of Papua New Guinea.
This 50th-anniversary celebration must be more than a grand event. It must be a true revival of our Melanesian conscience, thoughts, and spiritual heritage.
We must celebrate with our own people, in our own localities, in ways that resonate with our ancestors.
We urge our leaders, elders, and communities to reclaim this moment, not as an external presentation, but as a deeply personal and cultural tribute to the journey of our nation.
Let our voices shape the future, let our traditions lead our celebrations and let our ancestral wisdom be preserved for the next generations.
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Philip Philcool Kepan
PNG NGOs Desk
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