(Posted by Ivy Lin)
Tropic Tours in association with the Hiri Moale Festival Organizing Committee proudly announces the staging of the Hiri Moale Festival in 2008. This year the Hiri Moale Festival officially kicks off on Friday 17th September, Saturday 18th September and Sunday 19th September in 2010. Is a time when all Motu-Koitabuans come together to celebrate Independence Day in the Motuan way. “Activities include canoe racing, traditional singings, strings band; there's also marching groups, led by the Royal Constabulary Marching Band, live band by well known Motuan Artists, floats that are paraded and much more.” the organizer announced.
The Hiri Moale Festival is center around the Motuan people of the Papuan region. This festival takes place in the Nations Capital, Port Moresby with Ela Beach being the main venue. This event is staged together with the independence celebrations and it turns out to be an event of real attraction.
The festival is a celebration and re-enactment of the ocean voyages of the olden days when the local land owners of Port Moresby and surrounding villages – the Motu Koitabu people would travel out west in huge dug-out canoes (Lakatoi’s) to trade with the Erema people (now called Kerema, Gulf Province). The return voyage was one of joy and celebration as women with their bodies all tattooed would line up the beaches singing and swaying their grass skirts to welcome the husbands and brothers. The men would bring back sago, betel nuts and other precious food.
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