THE remote Malamata Yapo cultural festival in Karawari Local Level Government (LLG) in Enga Province has been launched on Sunday 11th August, 2023.
Malamata Yapo is situated in the border of Enga and East Sepik Provinces.
Enga Governor Sir Peter Ipatas and the National Cultural Commission (NCC) Executive Director, Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda officiated at the launching ceremony.
Mr. Kilanda acknowledged the presence of Governor Ipatas and the people who travelled in from neighboring villages from both the Sepik and Enga provinces to participate in the remote festival.
He announced that NCC will continue to support this festival annually and factored it into the national cultural events calendar from next year onwards.
“We are taking the cultural festivals and shows right back to the communities to the people so that they take ownership and continue to uphold their indigenous cultures and pass it to the next generation,” Mr. Kilanda said.
He therefore urged the people to continue to maintain and uphold the tradition of building a cultural center.
“This is where the history and traditional cultural knowledge are kept hence, it is important to continue to look after the cultural center in the community.“
I also want to declare that the Malamata Yapo cultural festival is one of the national cultural festivals in the country and it will be staged every year.
“I now bring to you the official certificate of recognition and declare the festival open,” he added.Mr Kilanda announced that NCC also committed K10, 000 towards hosting of the Malamata Yapo cultural festival.
He also urged the Enga and East Sepik provincial governments to support the cultural center which is one of the remotest but unique cultural festival unleashing some unique cultures.
Governor Ipatas said this is his second time to visit Malamata and he is impressed with the unique cultural display and the unity shown by the people of remote Malamata.
“Enga provincial government has been working in silent for over 26 years to build the tourism industry in the province.
“We see that our culture and tradition is one of the avenues that brings together people from both local and international visitors (tourists) attending our cultural festivals and shows,” he said.
“When people come to attend our festivals, they will bring money with them and invest in our province.
“I want you all to uphold and maintain our culture.”
The Governor told the people of Malamata to do away with the mentality of trouble fighting and involved such initiatives of participating in cultural activities that bring change and development into the communities.
He said Enga recorded over 660 international tourists visiting the province this year.
Meanwhile, Governor Ipatas made a commitment of purchasing a Sawmill for the remote Malamata Primary school through the Enga children’s fund.
He also committed a funding of close to K200, 000 over a period of two years towards Malamata Primary School.
The Governor further committed to build a community Aid Post and fencing of Malamata rural airstrip.
