Good day to the proud people of Lagaip District, our show participants from the three LLGs, and our neighbours from Kandep and Porgera-Paiela.
First and foremost, I want to thank and acknowledge our God, the God of Israel, for granting us this opportunity to gather in the spirit of peace, unity, and cultural pride. Today, we stand together to celebrate our identity, our heritage, and the traditions that have shaped who we are as a people.
Our cultural values are slowly fading right before our eyes. This is not just a concern for Leaders, it is a concern for every man, woman, and child, for every Hausman, every clan, and every tribe across our land. Today’s children, and their children in the next 50 years, are standing on the edge of a cultural time bomb. If we do not act now, our traditional life skills, our indigenous knowledge, our stories, our dances, and our customs may be lost forever.
I refuse to let that happen.
I carry a vision for that future generation, a generation that will know who they are and where they come from. That is why, through the Lyumbain Foundation, we have initiated the revival of the Lagaip District Cultural Tumbuna Show. This Show is not just an event, it is a movement, a cultural awakening, and a mission to restore our identity before it disappears.
If our children grow up without traditional knowledge, their own children will become a generation with no cultural foundation. When a person loses his culture, he loses direction. But when a person discovers his cultural identity, he begins to respect himself, and when he respects himself, he respects others. This is where peace, unity, and community harmony begin.
Going forward, the Lagaip District Cultural Tumbuna Show is committed to encouraging every clan and tribe to rebuild their traditional Hausman. These Hausman will become the centres of learning where boys and girls from as early as eight years old up to primary school age will be taught the core cultural values of their ancestors.
The Lyumbain Foundation will take responsibility to monitor and support every ward to ensure these Hausman are established and functioning. This vision is already embedded in the Lyumbain Foundation Community By-Law, which is currently with His Honour, Enga Resident Judge Graham Elis, for review and amendments. Once finalised, we will carry out a massive awareness campaign throughout the District to ensure compliance, participation, and ownership by all communities.
Before I conclude, I would like to acknowledge and thank the following:
The National Cultural Commission and the CEO for recognising our vision and supporting this Show.
Aidiku Arete Foundation, our Platinum Sponsor, for standing with us.
Comfort Taxis for their support.
The Walin Elites, Richard Thanda, Winnie Andrias, Paul Thomas, Luke Niap, Tepend Tundu, and Janet Aiya, for laying the foundation for the awareness drive.
And lastly, the hardworking Lyumbain Foundation Committees from the six sub-clans, whose commitment has made this Show a success.
Ladies and gentlemen, today marks the beginning of a new cultural journey for Lagaip District. Together, we will revive, protect, and pass on our cultural heritage, not just for today, but for generations to come.
Thank you, and may God bless Lagaip District.
Ta