Teach the young children about our Culture and Heritage: Noho
The Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival offers a unique opportunity to witness captivating cultural performances from across the Southern Highlands Province. This festival highlights the cultural significance of the Kundu drum and Digaso oil in the traditions of the Kutubu people of SHP, signifying their heritage.
Kutubu Kundu and Digaso festival was held at Daga Two Village in the Pimaga Station area of Kutubu, Southern Highlands Province from the 24th-26th, September 2024.
The sponsors of Kutubu Kundu and Digaso festival are Exxon Mobil PNG Limited, Santos, PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, National Cultural Commission, MRDC, Kutmor Partners, CDI Foundation, Advancing Women Leaders Network Inc. Kutubu LLG Women’s Council, WWF, Lake Kutubu Environmental Foundation/WMA.
The Festival brought together over 40 indigenous cultural groups to celebrate the traditional significance of the Kundu drum and the traditional trade of Digaso oil among the Kutubu people. Beyond its cultural importance, the festival plays a crucial role in preserving traditional practices and protecting the rich biodiversity of the Lake Kutubu region.
They also celebrated over 22 artistic modern music groups from different parts of the region.
Cultural Service Manager at National Cultural Commission Mr. Bola Noho, represented Executive Director of National Cultural Commission Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda.
Mr. Noho, while commenting on the festival annotated that, “We are experiencing an identity crisis in PNG, and we must start teaching our children their original cultures. Festivals like this provide the perfect venue to showcase and instil traditional values in the younger generation.”
He also emphasized the importance of cultural registrations and provided forms to the organizing committee to register with the organization.
The festival also featured traditional performances, emphasizing the cultural importance of both Fish Tailed and Short Tailed kundus. It also showcased age-old methods of extracting essential oils from local trees, along with traditional tapa making, and the production of soaps and body perfumes.
The National Cultural Commission showed its strong support for the Kutubu Kundu and Digaso Festival by presenting a cheque of K10,000 to the event organizers.
This contribution underscores the Commission’s commitment to promoting and preserving cultural heritage all throughout Papua New Guinea.
The festival was a resounding success, bringing the community together in celebration of its diverse traditions. Through captivating performances and engaging displays, people of all ages had the opportunity to enjoy and connect with their cultural heritage.
Kutubu Kundu and Digaso festival chairperson Andrew Igimabo also urged the people to continue practice and hold on to their cultures.
“We are bringing cultural festivals and shows like this to encourage the young people to see and also participate in order to keep our culture alive.”
“This is one way of keeping culture alive in our localities, and to help pass it down to the next generations,” he said.
The people of Daga and entire Kutubu are fascinated about NCC’s continuous support which is adding value to the festival and the community. We are also extending our appreciation and gratitude to other sponsors who have been supportive over the past 12 years,” concluded Mr. Igimabo
