The Kikori community in the Moresby South Electorate in Port Moresby yesterday held a blood ceremony at the Koki Fish Market.
The traditional ritual is performed when a relative dies.
The ceremony was held at the right wing of the Koki Fish Market.
The family is mourning the loss of two brothers; one killed in cold blooded murder and the other in prison for the death of his brother.
One of the elders explained to the public and the Moresby South MP, Justin Tkatchenko, who was there to witness the ceremony, that the “blood ceremony” is to wash away the deceased’s blood that had spilled on the murder site.
It involves the slaughtering of a huge pig, with its blood poured all over the site of the murder.
The blood is then washed off with water.
By doing so, they believe that they are releasing the spirit of the deceased and can now proceed with arrangements for funeral and burial.
The ceremonial pig was then presented to the Koki Fish Market management, apologising for the actions of their relative and for that particular side of the market, which was closed following the murder, to be reopened for use.
The 24-year-old who used to sell crabs at the market was killed in cold blood while he was asleep at the Koki Market; killed by his elder brother.
The accused is in police custody while the family prepares to take his brother’s body back to Kikori for burial.
Police are investigating the incident.
