diverse
pp. 39-40 · Read in the full issue
Handbook of a rich, diverse culture
The National Cultural Council, Papua New Guinea; Its aims and functions.
By A. L Crawford. Foreword by Bernard Narokobi.
Published by the National Cultural Council. Distributed by Gordon & Gotch (PNG) Pty Ltd. PO Box 3395. Port Moresby. ISBN 0 7247 0212 I.
K5.
The National Cultural Council of Papua New Guinea has published a handsomely de signed book setting out the council’s aims and functions.
This handbook is compre hensive and full of pertinent information. The photographs cover a wide range of cultural, artistic and entertaining facets of Papua New Guinean life.
There is much value in the photographs — some date back to the late 19th century and the early 1900s. It seems a pity, therefore, that more care was not given to printing and to selection of the paper used in this book. Much of the photo graphic reproduction is unclear. This is the one
disappointing feature of the book, which otherwise is of true benefit to the people towards whom it is directed.
In general, the book is a plea for the retention of cultural values and cultural identity. It is also a fount of information on the how, the where and the why of applying for a cultural grant and the setting out of procedures about what to do to fulil the aims and needs of building and maintaining cul tural centres.
The several sections in the book cover the scope of and needs for cultural development and for the retention in PNG of indigenous arts. The first section on the National Cul tural Council explains the giv ing of aid, the powers, aims and functions of the council and activities such as village arts, the National Arts School, PNG studies and the National Theatre Company.
Part Two covers the various provinces which, with over 700 languages, and their peoples separated by wide distances and inhibited by natural bor ders in the form of rivers, mountain ranges and forests, have produced the great diver sity of cultures in this richly artistic area.
The introduction explains: ‘Although the terrain and com munication difficulties have prevented the development of a pan-Papua New Guinea cul ture, Melanesian cultures in general share common features which are distinctively differ ent from other cultures. Now that communication is easier, it may not be possible to retain indefinitely the integrity of the cultures of small groups but hopefully cultural forms which are neither artificial nor trivial will emerge.’
The book is a good source of ideas for all who value the furthering of the arts and cul ture of Papua New Guinea. It is particularly valuable to those indigenous peoples within the country whose responsibility this now is.
The book has appendices and an excellent foreword by Bernard Narokobi. In fact, sev eral experts have contributed to the book, and all seem imbued with enthusiasm for
their subject.
Victor Carell.