Culture must be preserved for future generations

Papua New Guinea’s culture and traditions must be protected and passed on to young people as the country moves into its next 50 years, says Assistant Director of the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies Dr Naomi Simet.

Dr Simet said culture is important to Papua New Guinea’s identity, values and way of life.

Speaking at Kopkop College’s 51st pre-Independence anniversary celebration in Port Moresby, she said traditional songs, dances, music, chants and costumes carry important knowledge from past generations.

“Our culture is very important. Primarily for our identity as a country. As a country moving into a lot of changes taking place globally and locally. So our culture gives us value. It gives us our ways of civilization which has to be respected and upheld.

"It should be the platform for our children to learn from in order to understand how they came and why is it important today and to also inform them of where they are going.” Dr Simet said.

Dr Simet said Papua New Guinea has a rich culture that has survived colonialism and other outside influences.

She said cultural practices have helped keep people connected to their identity and history.

Dr Simet, who has worked with the Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies since 2001, has spent about 25 years researching traditional dance and performing arts.

She said dance is also an important way for people to communicate ideas and express themselves.

“People don't really express themselves freely, but through performing arts they are able to come together, perform together, foster that appreciation and respect for one another,” Dr Simet said.

She said the different cultural performances at Kopkop College showed how diversity can bring Papua New Guineans together.

Students from different provinces performed traditional dances during the celebration.

Dr Simet said the performances showed that national unity can grow through respecting and preserving the country’s many cultures.

She also called on schools to help pass cultural knowledge to the next generation.

She said culture should not only remain in books or libraries, but must be taught and practised by students.

“We need to actually teach it to our students because they will enact it and they will take it on and they will use it to enable its continuity into the future,” she said.

Meanwhile, Dr Simet commended Dame Maria Kopkop and the college team for organising the celebration and promoting culture through education.