That Special
p. 19 · Read in the full issue
Touch
A continuing theme in Prime Minister Michael Somare’s autobiography is his regard for the country’s artistic heritage.
He tells how on one occasion he gave an angry dressing down to a missionary who destroyed an artifact. He said some Murik villages had been com pletely pillaged, their festivals had ceased, their initiations dis continued, their sacred works of art, burnt or stolen or sold.
He said he had consistently encouraged elders to keep up the ceremonies, to protect and preserve PNG’s heritage.
“We do not wish to become a nation of black Australians.
Only if we learn to understand the value of cultures will we be able to bring to the task of modern nation building that special touch that will allow us to build a unique country”.