South-West Pacific Cultural Heritage Training Program: Papua New Guinea 2001.

Tatau village

The second part of the workshop was held in Tatau village, Tabar Group. The participants travelled to Konos by car and transferred to banana boats for the trip out to the Andi Guesthouse at the northern tip of Tatau. Tatau Island was selected for the workshop for a number of reasons. Firstly, Dr. Summerhayes has a current research program in NIP on the Mid-Holocene human occupation of the Bismarck Archipelago and its role in the colonisation of the Pacific (Summerhayes 2000). Secondly, the inhabitants of Tabar produce carvings of the Malagan tradition. The Malagan style of carving is world famous but unfortunately is increasingly under threat with the inevitable passing of the older generations. Thirdly, initial surveys undertaken in March 1999 by Dr. Summerhayes and previous research by Mr. Mandui on nearby Simberi (also in the Tabar Group), identified the potential for Lapita sites and early Holocene occupation. "This scenario provided the participants with important 'real' archaeological (and anthropological) research questions to solve" (Summerhayes 2001:6).

While the program was specifically aimed at training in the management of archaeological sites and artefacts it also covered the management and preservation of contemporary items and custom. Dr. Summerhayes lead a discussion (seen here) with a Tatau elder , Edward Sale who is a Malagan master carver. The purpose of the discussion was to gain a better understanding of the relationship between Provincial and National government bodies and the village elders who are the traditional custodians of PNG's customs & traditions.

From the Andi Guesthouse, the participants undertook a number of archaeological surveys in order to practice some of the skills in archaeological site identification and recording that they had learnt. Surveys were variously lead within the Tabar Group by Dr. Summerhayes, Mr. Leavesley and Mr. Mandui. The areas covered included hills and coastal plains south and west of Tatau village, Mapua Island, southwestern Simberi, the hinterland of Koko village on Big Tabar.

Discussions were also held with Chief Joel who is an elder of a clan in which the custom was to produce a predominantly weaved Malagan (as can be seen here). A similar malangan was presented to Summerhayes who inturn prsented it to the National Museum on behalf of the Saskawa Peace Foundation. The discussions centred on the intricacies of preserving a tradition which produces material culture that is relatively fragile and therefore more difficult to preserve in Museum type scenarios. This part of the program centred around the invaluable incite provided by Francis Bafmutuk who is the only practicing conservator in PNG. The discussion also emphasised that the preservation of custom is multifaceted and therefore dependent upon ongoing cooperative research in close consultation with traditional village leaders rather than simply the work of Museums.

Acknowledgments

This success of this program was dependent upon many institutions and people. First and foremost thanks go to the Sasakawa Pacific Islands Fund for providing financial support for the SWPCHTP.

In Australia, institutional support was provided by the ANH, A & A and CAR at the Australian National University.

In Port Moresby, this program was affiliated with the National Museum & Art Gallery. Approval for this workshop was granted by National Research Institute and the New Ireland Research Council.

In Kavieng, thanks to the PA, Moses Mokis and the APA, Simon Passingan. Thanks to Leo & Rhondie Badcock at the Kavieng Hotel. Also thanks to Noah Lurang & Francis Rangatin (NIP Tourism office), John Chan, Jo Pentacost & Simon Tinpis (DOW) and John Aini for logistical support.

In Tatau, thanks to King and Ken at Andi Guesthouse, Edward Sale, Chief Joel and the community at large.

At the conclusion of the Tatau based sessions the workshop was moved back to Kavieng. The last part of the training program revolved around the various means by which information can be disseminated to the community at large. Introductory sessions were held in the utilisation of a number of media. The participants wrote a press release for the PNG print media. An internet session was run at the NIP Tourism Office and a session was run at the Radio New Ireland. Also, a series of lectures were conducted at Tatau, Lavongai & Simberi Community Schools; Utu, Madina (as seen here) & Mongop High Schools and the Kavieng International School.