It will also celebrate the Motu Koitabu people as the indigenous landowners of the National Capital District. The Hiri Moale festival will be held on September 14-15 and will showcase the Hiri Trade expedition that was done in the past between the people of Gulf and Central province. 33 The claimant relies on the case of R (Hiri) v SSHD 2014 EWHC 254 (Admin). 16 1/2 assessed his verbal ability at the level of the average 1011 year old. The first judging of the 2018 Hiri Hanenamo contestants will take place this week before the crowning on 16 September. Queens Bench Division (Administrative Court) 2 March 2018. The support by ExxonMobil PNG goes towards preparation for the contestants as well as the crowning of the 2018 Hiri Hanenamo Queen and the other categories. All the contestants will be vying for the prestigious title of 2018 Hiri Hanenamo Queen, the Runner-Up and Miss Hetura (Friendship). The deadline for applications was closed on 20 August with 13 participants having registered. Udu Vai thanked ExxonMobil PNG for its continuous support since 2014, saying, “the highlights of the festivities are usually the arrival of the Lagatoi and the Hiri Hanenamo Quest and I’m glad that ExxonMobil PNG has continued to support our event.”Īpplications were open to young Motu Koitabu women aged between 18 and 25 years of age. It provides a platform for the young Motu Koita women to build their confidence, extend their networks and be cultural ambassadors for their people.Ģ018 Hiri Moale Festival Coordinator, Mr. Sivasamboo said the Hanenamo Quest is not only about preserving cultures but also about empowering women. “As sponsors of the Hiri Hanenamo Quest, we know that we are helping preserve the unique cultural heritage of the people of Motu-Koitabu,” said Dinesh Sivasamboo, ExxonMobil PNG’s Executive Director of Production. The annual festivity celebrates the Motu Koitabuan culture which originated in the Hiri West area of Central Province close to the PNG LNG plant. The festival has attracted many local and international tourists who come to enjoy the beauty of the history, entertainment and the show.ExxonMobil PNG, the operator of PNG LNG, is supporting the 2018 Hiri Moale festival through its prestigious event, the Hiri Hanenamo Quest. It is one amongst the many cultural practices that the Motuan people maintain to keep their past safe. The festival signifies their past history and its importance. Until now the trade has not taken place, instead it is portrayed during the festival. The practice continued up until World War II which disrupted trading between the two. The canoe returned with sago for their family.įrom then on, the Motuan people continued the trade with the Kerema people because that is where they received their food from. When she saw the canoe, she jumped into the water, washed off her dirt, changed and shouted saying “Hedihoroha Bogebada” and danced. Therefore she did that until the canoe returned. The wife of Edai was instructed to tattoo her body and stay in her hut next to the fire until the husband returned. The traditional dances and tattoos on the bodies of the women tell the story of the return of the canoe from the Gulf after the trade. Their first journey was successful and they returned home. The canoe took its first sail out during the south east trade winds called Laurabada, which brought the canoe to the waters of Gulf for trade. He named the Lagatoi “Bogebada”which means the sea eagle.īecause of their creativity in making clay pots, the people of Motu made many pots and filled the canoe. The canoe tells the story of a man named Edai Siabo from Boera who built the first sailing canoe. The main attraction, the canoe, is one of the more important elements.
This is an article about the past story that today the people of Motu celebrate. The three day event is one of Port Moresby’s big events and is normally celebrated around the month of September in-line with the independence celebrations.ĭuring the event, traditional dances, the Hiri Queen Contest and the arrival of the Lagatoi, canoe racing and the art exhibition are featured. The Hiri Moale Festival is an annual celebration held at Ela Beach, Port Moresby.
By Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby