Chief

Henri Dokucas Naisseline said the vaccination obligation deprives people of fundamental rights of freedom and respect for human dignity.

The high chief of the Gaumha district on the island of Mare has decided to stop the vaccination drive in all the tribes under his control, suggesting the vaccine is dangerous.

However, he said those who wish to get the vaccine can still get it.

In August, the government launched an inoculation campaign in the mainly Kanak Loyalty Islands, called Vacci'tribs, in the hope of vaccinating 80 percent of the population by January.

UPNG Political Science academic *Patrick Kaiku, who is also a New Irelander, says maimai (chief) is a specific leadership title of the people of Tikana or generally, the Kavieng area.

“There are rituals, usually connected to the Malagan ceremonies that are specific to this leadership style of the Tikana clans.

“The Namatanais have their own indigenous names for leadership titles – I believe kabasit is the title. In New Hanover we have the Passingan title, and so on and so forth.”

Mekun Chief is the highest chieftaincy given to leaders who have matured leadership quality.

It is one of the ranks that distinguish the wise from the unwise.

Sir Michael had proven to be that Chief and accepted the chieftaincy.

He also undergo traditional rituals of all the main three cultural backbone of New Ireland.

And those were, the Tumbuan ritual, Malagan and Kabai rituals.

Sir Michael was also made a paramount chief of a clan from Sir Julius Chan’s as they were the only leaders to have that quality.

A village chief from the Konnou area of Buin, South Bougainville, told Loop PNG that the awareness for the referendum needs to be more aggressive now.

Joe Patuai said: “There needs to be more funding put into these awareness programs and people need to travel the full length of this island, even into places where service doesn’t go to, awareness has to go.