Kutubu Kundu & Digaso Festival still going ahead despite massive earthquake at Daga Village, Kutubu

This is what the team "Kutubu Kundu & Digaso Festival" is up to now despite the Earthquake Disaster which costs their lives, homes, gardens etc... "Yumi Yet Mas Kirapim Bek Yumi Yet" will be theme for this years festival 21-23 September in Kutubu. 

The Festival is the only which benefits the communities directly from activities performed, individuals or groups that participate, from selling of products like arts/crafts, accommodation services, meals, transport, etc. 

All these avenues will help the communities to at least start opening doors for more of outside help. 

The Daga Community led by their two ward Councilors from Fiwaga and Damayu are now working closely with the PNG Government authorities on the ground and NGO's, Churches and Youth Groups to bring about gutpla sundaun long komuniti blong ol.

This year's Canoe Racing at the Lake Kutubu will be centered at the Lakeside. Specific venue of the race will be confirmed soon once plans are finalized. 

WE thank our leaders who are always behind us the team and communities to at least recognized the efforts put to ensure such significant events in our local communities so that the local communities can benefit directly from these activities.

RESTORATION PATH FOR ONE OF WORSE EARTHQUAKE DISASTER ZONE.

Words and Photographs: Saina Jeffrey Philyara, 2018.

MRDC continues partnership with Kutubu Festival

In an effort to help restore normalcy to the lives of the Kutubu people after the devastating earthquake in February this year, the Mineral Resources Development Company (MRDC) is throwing its support behind the annual Kutubu Kundu and Digaso festival. 

This will be the festival’s eighth year running, and the local host are determined to make it happen despite the damage and devastation they suffered.

Daga Village where the festival is hosted lost its traditional Kutubu Long haus, which is one of the star attractions at this festival, along with many homes in the earthquake. Despite setbacks, the locals with the help of the festival organising committee have rebuilt the long haus and their homes to prepare to host the festival and its visitors. 

This year’s festival will be held from the 21st- 23rd of September, 2018 with the theme, “Yumi mas kirapim bek yumi yet” (We must raise ourselves) which calls for all earthquake affected communities to come together and strive for restoration and resiliency after the earthquake. 

MRDC managing Director, Mr Augustine Mano in presenting a cheque of fifty thousand kina to the Festival Committee said MRDC was very proud to support the festival this year in particular as it was a special one. 

“This year’s festival only goes to show the resilience of our people, who have suffered the devastating impact of an earthquake yet have the strength and courage to pick themselves up, to restore their lives just six months since the quake hit”.

Photo Caption: MRDC’s Imbi Tagune presenting the K50, 000 dummy cheque to the Foi Dancers from Kutubu at the MRDC haus in downtown today. The Foi’s are here in Port Moresby to promote the festival in September.