Posts

The Painful Land Issue in Kawaliap

Image
There was a time when life in Kawaliap was peaceful. People lived together like one family. Children played freely from one side of the village to another. Families built homes wherever there was space. Men entered the forest to cut building materials without fear. Women made gardens on fertile land and shared food with relatives and neighbours. Hunters walked through the bush together, and no one questioned who owned which part of the forest. People depended on each other, and the village lived with unity and respect. In those days, land was never a problem. But slowly, things began to change. The land issue in Kawaliap started when some families began denying other families access to the forest. People who once freely entered the bush to collect timber, sago leaves, firewood, and other building materials were suddenly told they had no right to enter certain areas. Some victims would spend days cutting posts and timber deep in the forest, only to return later and find the materials ch...
Post a Comment
Read more

PARLIAMENT DEADLOCK: How a Debate Over Numbers is Deciding Bougainville’s Future

Image
The future of Bougainville is currently hanging in  the balance, and the biggest argument inside the Papua New Guinea National Parliament is not about what the people voted for, but how the politicians will count the final votes. When Bougainville held its big referendum vote, 97.7% of its people chose to become an independent country. However, under the PNG Constitution, that vote was non-binding—meaning it was a massive opinion poll, and the final decision rests entirely with the PNG Parliament. Now, a major argument has broken out over how many Members of Parliament (MPs) must say "Yes" to allow Bougainville to split away. A key leader in this debate, the Member for Abau and former Bougainville Affairs Minister, Sir Puka Temu, recently stepped up to challenge the government's latest rules. To understand why this is a massive deal, we first need to break down the different types of votes used in Parliament into plain, simple English. Understanding the Votes: Simp...
Post a Comment
Read more

Deciphering the Minds of Kele Chiefs

Image
The elders of the Kele communities of Buyang, Tingou, and Kawaliap possessed a deep understanding of their people, land, customs, and way of life. They observed their communities carefully and expressed their thoughts through stories, songs, sayings, and expressions. Many of these expressions are still remembered today, but their true meanings are often not fully understood by the younger generation. In Kawaliap, one such expression is "Kawa sarpat." In simple terms, it means "Kawaliap scattered all over the place." At first glance, the meaning seems obvious. But when we look deeper, an important question emerges: What exactly did the elders mean? Were they speaking about the people of Kawaliap? Were they referring to the land? The customs? The clans? Or were they describing something much bigger that would only become clear many generations later? The wisdom of the Kele chiefs was often hidden beneath simple words. They rarely spoke directly. Instead, they used ex...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Mind of the Melanesian Chiefs: A Lesson from Bougainville

Image
  As Papua New Guinea prepares to make an important decision on the future of Bougainville, the world is watching closely. The discussions between Papua New Guinea and Bougainville are not only about politics. They are also about respect, identity, history, and the values that have guided Melanesian societies for generations. Melanesian communities have long been governed by chiefs, elders, and respected leaders. Their leadership differs from that of many modern political systems. A Melanesian chief is not simply a ruler. He is a mediator, a peacemaker, and a guardian of his people's welfare. Decisions are often made through dialogue, consultation, and consensus rather than force. The history of Melanesia is closely linked to colonialism. During the nineteenth century, colonial powers divided many Melanesian lands. The island of New Guinea was separated into different territories, eventually becoming Papua New Guinea in the east and West Papua under Indonesian administration in the...
Post a Comment
Read more

Changing Meanings of Words and the Need for Respectful Language

Image
Language is powerful. Words can unite people, but they can also divide communities when their meanings change over time. Across the world, many once acceptable words are now seen as offensive because society has changed. What was normal during tumbuna time may no longer be suitable in today’s modern world. In one of my earlier discussions, I talked about the idea of changing the name “Manus” because it may not fully represent the many cultural and ethnic groups across the province. During that discussion, I also mentioned the term “Wisiai” or “Usiai.” Traditionally, the word referred to the inland people of Manus. In the past, this was simply a way of identifying where people came from. There was no major problem with the term during those times. However, language changes as society changes. Today, the term is sometimes used negatively. For example, when a person from inland Manus does something another person does not like, someone from the coast may say, “O Wisiai.” Although some may...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Nation Does Not Fall in One Day — It Falls When Values Begin to Die

Image
A Nation Does Not Fall in One Day  — It Falls When Values Begin to Die An Opinion Piece on Moral and Ethical Decline by Roy Yohang  One of the greatest dangers facing a society like Papua New Guinea is not only poverty, unemployment, or lack of infrastructure. The deeper danger — the one that is harder to see but far more devastating — is the slow decay of moral and ethical values. When integrity disappears, even the richest nation can become poor. The Chain Reaction of Ethical Decline The connection is direct and undeniable: When honesty disappears, corruption rises. When respect disappears, violence rises. When responsibility disappears, families break down. When integrity disappears, even the richest nation can become poor. Today, we see many signs of this ethical decline all around us. These are not isolated incidents — they are patterns: Corruption becoming normalised Abuse of public resources Lack of respect for the rule of law Tribalism and favouritism over merit Violen...
Post a Comment
Read more

Motivational Message for KBI Members

Image
Whether I was born and raised at home or my roots come from my parents and grandparents, one truth remains unshaken: the spirit of Kele lives in me. Our identity is carried not only in the land we walk on, but in the stories, values, and strength passed down through generations. As members of Kele Butika Incorporated, we are connected by a shared heritage—a heritage of resilience, unity, and care for one another. Our elders may have walked the rough roads, paddled the long seas, and faced the hard seasons, but they never lost sight of community. That same spirit calls us today. Giving back does not always mean giving big. Sometimes the most powerful contributions are the small ones: a word of encouragement, a shared idea, a helping hand, a prayer, a simple act of kindness, or offering your skills and time. Every little effort is like a drop of water—small on its own, but together forming rivers that nourish our people. Let us remember: we are Kele, whether we live at home or far away. ...
Post a Comment
Read more