Yesterday my country PNG celebrated its 35th independence anniversary. These are my thoughts about this special week when celebrations in some parts of the country continue through the weekend.
Years ago I heard someone saying that a man does not live until he is forty.For those of us who were born before Sept 16, 1975, we are nearing that age. Our country is also approaching that age.If that statement has any ring of truth in it then it is about time we learned how to live.In 1975 I was a few years old and was a dependent. In fact I was on the shoulders of my Dad walking along Mt Hagen Park and observing the excitement that was everywhere. As I grew older I became emotionally attached to the national songs that were sung around the country. (These songs still strike special chords in me that modern tunes can not.)
By definition ‘Independence’ has the meaning of having self governance and being able to look after oneself and not needing someone else to ask or beg to assist in satisfying one’s basic needs.Despite not entering a haus boi or haus tambaran I grew up learning in my small village almost unconsciously (some things are ‘caught’ not ‘taught’) what it was to be a man; a person who was valuable to the society. (I tried to be one but had my share of failures nonetheless.)
“You have to work hard to learn to stand on your two feet,” I still hear my fathers say.“Learn to make your own gardens, build your own house and learn how to catch game in the form of flying foxes, bandicoots and cuscuses,” the fathers taught us the children.Such was the wisdom held our societies strong and resilient in the face of natural disasters, ravaging diseases and marauding enemy tribes.
Today this basic teaching must again be drummed into us.
We have become too westernized and become too dependent on others.However in the pursuit of independence in the traditional society there was still a dependence factor.The independent man was important for other dependents. The real man gave to assist others who were in need. Of course those were the days when alcohol, gambling and modern luxuries and pleasures were non-existent and men were more independent.Today it is this reclaiming this independent mindset that will save PNG and take it to higher levels.
There is no other country like PNG in the Pacific. Land wise, PNG surpasses all the other nations. It also has the greatest potential to increase its gross domestic product of $14 billion. Despite gaining independence a little later than Samoa (Jan 1962), Nauru (June 1968), Tonga (June 1970) and Fiji (Oct 1970), PNG is now head above all its neighbours in the region: PNG is the big brother.
Most of the islands countries depend on fishing and copra industries and tourism; they bring into their national coffers some hundreds of millions of dollars per year. PNG is dealing with amounts in the billions.PNG now has the privilege to assist these smaller island nations.And that can only happen if we sort out our own domestic problems quickly. (People with a lot of domestic problems never truly foster good diplomacy with others).
There must be no selfish motives in our decision making. Only through open and fair dealings amongst our own people will PNG be mature enough to raise its head and see the poor states of other nations.Individuals in PNG must working towards becoming independent; but being very mindful that our independence will help raise other dependents up to the point that they also become independent.In summary, the country will only become independent if we as individuals strive to be independent. The country is made up of individuals and the country will change for better if we as individuals develop the independent mindset and move forward.
Faith in God is a very important ingredient in our pursuit for independence. He facilitated independence for Abraham, Isaac, Samuel, David, Paul and the thousands of saints who have depended on Him; as well as to those who are still depending on Him today. (Have you noticed that the most independent person is usually very dependent on somebody else? Like being dependent on God?)
Most of our ancestors had that mindset. Will we also embrace that and help our neighbours along? That, my friend, is for each of us to decide.(By the way, I do not sit on my father’s shoulders anymore. Personally I have grown up; I am working towards my own personal independence despite the natural drag to remain a dependent.)
(#The picture shows young women from Salt-Nomane area of Simbu province in full traditional attire observing performances from a nicely decorated hut.)
