cultural heritage

Everyday People: Bonnie Naua - Preserving Cultural Heritage through Fashion

As a member of the Koke Gubarei Idibana 1 Clan, known for canoe building and clay pottery, Naua incorporates traditional patterns into her designs to keep her cultural heritage alive. Papua New Guinea, the world’s third-largest island nation, is home to over 1,000 different culture groups and 839 known languages.

Naua honed her skills at the PNG Garment and Textile Training Center in Port Moresby, after receiving a sewing machine as a gift.

Revamping IPNGS for Cultural Heritage

With IPNGS approaching its 50th anniversary, there are currently significant infrastructural developments underway, including the construction of new offices, the expansion and modernization of archival and library facilities, and the removal of old housing and trees to construct a conference center.

IPNGS's acting director, Christopher Puio, is overseeing the changes, and the developments aim to highlight the country's intangible cultural heritage, and these changes represent exciting prospects for IPNGS and Papua New Guinea.

Koblaku Mothers cultural group

Koblaku Mothers Cultural Association from one of the remotest part of Gumine District in Chimbu Province are committed in preserving their culture which is dying out due to the westernization and religious influence.

The Association’s chairlady, Etwik Gui said they have struggled to register their group. She said the influence in the conservation and preservation of our environment and culture is the greatest asset that the people must uphold.

Preserving our cultural heritage

Not far from that church building on the hill adjacent to Qantas House, the National Museum and Art Gallery was fighting a losing battle to prevent the demolition of another building.

When bulldozers finally went to work, they crushed 100 years of religious history for the United Church. The Church’s first ever building, erected shortly after the arrival of missionaries, came tumbling down and its remnants were carted off to the dump.

The United Church said then, it had no funds to maintain the building.