Drama Play explains Independence
- Rosemary Yambune
Port Moresby: Many governing systems of Papua New Guinea solidified after the country achieved Independence from Australia seventy years ago.
One of the many systems is the customary marriage which gained legal recognition on September 16, 1975.
Staff from CBCPNGSI that hailed from the MOMASE region staged a roleplay that explains the local impression of Independence through customary marriage, during staff Independence celebrations on September 14, 2020, in CBCPNGSI headquarters, Gordons.
Covered in traditional attire with shells and traditional ornaments Aida Makis the finance officer of CBCPNGSI played the role of the bride while the outreach officer for CaritasPNG, Mr. Jason Siwat played the role of the groom.
While the plot and the costumes that dominated the drama were from East Sepik province, the similar practice of marriage is present in almost all places within Papua New Guinea.
Several international staff of CBCPNGSI acknowledged the theme of the roleplay. One of which is the Secretary for Family Life commission Sr Lucy D’Souza, MSI, from India. Sr Lucy said ‘traditional marriage is very useful and nice because it is natural, it is from your customs’.
The secretary for Right Relationships inMinistry, Sr Ancy John, SCSA has worked sixteen years in PNG.
She says on a larger scale, more awareness needs to be demonstrated in the art to advocate for proper marriages in Papua New Guinea, given the increased rate of broken families in the country.
CBCPNGSI joined PNG in a little way to commemorate the independence day. Many parts of the event reflect the evolution of certain traditional practices since the pre- independence period.