By Kenny Romanus
The three days Sel Kambang Festival ends well on a high note, which was attended by thousands in Kiunga, the district headquarters of North Fly in Western Province.
The festival was hosted from Tuesday 17th to Thursday 19th of September and was officially closed on Friday, 20th September, by the local MP and Patron of the Sel Kambang Festival, Hon. James Donald with the presence of North Fly District Administrator Mr. Greg Isau and Western Provincial Administrator, Mr. Robert Alphones Kaiyun.
During the closing ceremony, the Sel Kambang Festival Chairman, Mr. Jacky Nick thanked the participating cultural groups, especially the 4 tribes which are the Awins, Yongoms, Ningerums, and the Faiwols, in showcasing the unique culture of North Fly District. He also thanked the other participating cultural groups who took part, which added value to the festival as a sign of unity in promoting culture.
Mr. Nick also acknowledged the continuous efforts of the sponsors, Ministry of Culture and Tourism, National Culture Commission (NCC), Ok Tedi Mining Limited (OTML), Ok Tedi Development Foundation (OTDF), North Fly District Development Authority (NFDDA) and Fly River Provincial Government (FRPG) making it possible for the event to happen.
Western Provincial Administrator, Mr. Robert Alphones Kaiyun, commended the law-abiding citizens for their good behavior during the festival which was well celebrated starting with the independence program on Monday 16th September to Thursday, 19th September and the official closing ceremony on Friday, 20th September.
“Kiunga or Western Province must remain peaceful at all times. We need to maintain the spirit of unity” Kaiyun said
Mr. Kaiyun also stated that the Fly River Provincial Government will soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Culture Commission and Tourism Promotion Authority to promote culture in the entire Western Province which will involve the Sel Kambang Festival in North Fly, Gogodala Canoe Festival in Delta Fly, Motomoto Festival in South Fly and yet to identify the product for the Middle Fly District to host provincial shows for Western Province.
North Fly MP and Patron of Sel Kambang Festival, Hon. James Donald thanked the Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Belden Namah and his ministry for contributing K300, 000 for supporting the Sel Kambang Festival.
He also plans to host a bigger show next year and to involve cultural groups in large numbers to signify the value to promoting culture.
Western Star 