CULTURAL WASH DOWN OF LATE SIR JULIUS’ FOOTPRINTS

In a New Ireland cultural ritual the New Ireland Provincial Government, LLG Presidents, few New Ireland Chiefs (Maimais) and the Chan family performed a cultural wash down of the footprints of the Late Sir Julius Chan at the National Parliament after the first Parliament sitting for 2025.

The first Parliament sitting was dedicated to the Late Sir Julius Chan where tributes were given by members of Parliament.

Before the Cultural Ritual, New Ireland Acting Governor Sammy Missen led the New Ireland provincial government delegation and the Chan family into the late Sir Julius Chan’s National Parliament Office.

Mr. Missen stated that it is a big thing to enter the office of the late Sir Julius after his passing, New Ireland has traditional customs and to enter the office belonging to a great leader as Sir Julius is a big thing.

“We are very heartbroken and sad to enter his office at this time where he is unavailable and with that, we the government of New Ireland, LLG Presidents and assembly members came here to conduct the final Cultural wash down of footprints and appreciation concluding obligation of the Late Sir Julius Chan here at Parliament,” Mr. Missen said.

Before entering the office, the acting governor presented a New Ireland Traditional shell money (Mis) to Sir Julius Chan’s daughter Vanessa to allow him and his delegation to enter Sir Julius Chan’s Parliament office to pay their respects and later proceed to perform the cultural wash down of his footprints outside the National Parliament House.

The Cultural Ritual took place at the steps of Parliament House where the Acting Governor and the New Ireland Maimais performed a traditional dance and perform a cultural wash down of his footprints by sweeping the steps of Parliament and calling on Sir Julius to follow them back to New Ireland.

Minister for Transport and Civil Aviation Walter Schnaubelt also took part in the cultural ritual by presenting a Mis to one of the Maimais and following the family in the program.

All New Ireland LLG Presidents also took part in the ritual and stated that they all have arrived at Parliament to wash down the footprints of their late leader and make sure his work at Parliament is complete to make way for the new person who will take his place.