Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Isi Leonard Henry has called on the people of West New Britain (WNB) province to safeguard and protect their cultural, traditional practices and values for the future generations.
Many people think our ancient culture and traditions are only for the old people, but it is for everyone from young to old.
The preamble of our national constitution says we are to hold on to our ancient ways of culture and traditions and pass it on to the next generation. Minister Leonard made these remarks during the official opening of the West New Britain province Tavur Cultural show in Kimbe this week.
Traditional attires, singing, dance and chants echoed by tumbuan groups performed as Minister Leonard and the officials led by WNB Governor Sasindran Muthuvel arrived at the venue. “We have witnessed diverse and variety of cultures in West New Britain in the Tavur Show.
Our cultural ways and lifestyles should not diminish as long as we are on earth. “PNG is blessed with more than 800 languages and that is a testament that we have diversity within the country,” Minister Leonard said. “PNG is one of the last frontiers in the world, because people have traversed the whole world and its continents discovering everything on it.
“We are one of the only remaining frontiers in the world to explore and experience our diversity of culture, our diversity of tribes, our diversity of languages and lifestyle, Minister Leonard said. He said one of the lasting resources that we have yet to tap into is our culture.
Every resource and projects from gold mining, oil and gas, to logging to agriculture has a life span but culture has a lasting resource that the government must now tap into. Adding that culture was here to stay for as long as we harness, maintain, preserve and promote it.
He said the promotion of cultural and traditional programs would be a way to address social issues, by getting the youths involved. As Minister for Tourism, Mr Leonard said he was engaging with Governors across the country to promote cultural tourism in the provinces.
He identified Enga and West New Britain provinces as two provinces who were outstanding in their commitment in promoting cultural programs and events. “We will support West New Britain provincial government in its cultural programs next year and going forward,” he said.
He thanked the Marape/Rosso government for appointing him as the Tourist minister from the 10th Parliament and continuing this term in the 11th parliament and for recognizing the importance of Tourism, Art and Culture. Minister Leonard through the National Cultural Commission presented K10,000 to the Tavur Cultural Show working committee.
Accompanying Minister Leonard was the National Cultural Commission (NCC) Director Steven Enomb Kilanda and Minister’s First Secretary Elijah Tapie. The four-day WNB Tavur cultural show ended today in Kimbe.