It was only 6am but already, the Rabaul Memorial Park foreshore in East New Britain was packed with men, women and children, straining to catch a glimpse of the tumbuans.
At least 200 people gathered this morning to witness the spectacular kinavai, which consists of tumbuans dancing on boats out at sea while a group of men stand on the shores, beating drums and chanting.
The kinavai is a representation of the Tolai people travelling across seas to reach East New Britain.
Women and girls made sure they were a safe distance away from the dancing tumbuans when they landed on the beach.
According to the rich Tolai custom, it is taboo for females to stand near tumbuans or dukduks.
A local told Loop PNG that there are two reasons why women are not allowed near them.
“The first reason is because this is a sacred male tradition; women are not allowed near them. It is only for those that have gone through the initiation process of becoming a man.
“Women can only stand near the tumbuans or dukduks if they are allowed to. Mostly, it’s the mothers of these tumbuans or dukduks.”
Secondly, it is deemed unsafe for women to stand near these traditional dancers because of the items they use during their performance: Sage (poison leaf), ginger (kawawar) or lime (kambang).
“These powerful stuff can mess with a woman’s mind. When the men spat out the kawawar or throw the kambang, and if a woman breathes it in, she will lose her mind,” Loop was told.
“This belief has been passed down from our forefathers, which we follow to this day.”
The province came alive with Independence Day celebrations since yesterday.
While brightly-coloured floats are going around Kokopo town, Rabaul is currently hosting the McGrade Family Two Stone Kanu Cup race.
The race will be followed by speeches, choirs and traditional singsing. The day will end with the Baining Fire Dance at the Malaguna Secondary School at 6.30pm.
Celebrations will continue tomorrow.
(Tumbuans dancing on a canoe this morning at Rabaul, East New Britain Province. Picture courtesy of Brian Alois.)
