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Melanesian Leadership in contemporary PNG

Since the passing of my dad, I find myself reflecting on the type of leadership he portrayed during his lifetime. So it got me to do a bit of research into Melanesian Leadership and do we still hold on to the values as portrayed by our fathers. In this contemporary Papua New Guinea we seem to be loosing sight of our Melanesia leadership. Well that is my opinion. One of our greatest philosophers Mr. Bernard Narakobi said are we seeing ourselves through the mirror of the western world or are we seeing ourselves through our own cultural identity. Our Melanesian leadership is one that is built on trust and respect for fellow men a leadership that ensures that needs of survival are met and that people live together in Harmony. When disputes arose they are settle fair and square in the presence of all the elders. Leaders earn the respect and trust of the tribe and village by meeting certain criteria depending on what it is in different settings. Leaders are chosen and not self created. Do we exemplify the Melanesian leadership or do we live in the shadows of the western  leadership. Before Christianity or the kiaps there exist a society that function and thrive by its own rules and traditions.  When Christianity came we made room for it to coexist in our society. We live in one with our land, and with nature. Plant and animals have a part to play in our society. We respect their place and treat them with caution. In modern day  PNG are we living this leadership style of leading with fairness and dignity of ensuring people are secure and protected and that their basic needs are met. Do we rally behind each other to see that we progress in our different journeys in life? Or do we pursue greed and materialism and fight and backbite to win our positions in society. Do we create an environment of togetherness, one that sees no boundaries but values fellow human as he values himself? Are we fearful of each other and living to ensure his own survival comes first before the needs of others? Do we rule by instilling fear and demanding respect? Are we so materialistic driven that we forgot what our true Melanesian values are? Do we take care of nature and the environment as we know it is crucial for our survival? Melanesian leaders make room for others there is a space for you on my table, I give I serve and I ensure that everyone's need for survival is met. I treat everyone with respect and ensure that whatever is caught is shared equally amongst everyone. Whatever it is i hope i got you thinking on what kind of Melanesian leadership you are exemplifying? i hope its not too late for us to retract re asses and live in this nation in the true spirit of our Melanesian Society. The world is yet to see more of this style of leadership and I do hope we can be able to resurrect and bring to life once again the Melanesian leadership. May it all not die with our fathers and mothers but can live and breath through us and to our children. May the true spirit of Melanesian brotherhood arise once again O arise all you sons and daughters of this beautiful land called Papua New Guinea. Godbless you and Godbless PNG. I part with this image of a cassowary
in my arapesh culture muruk gras as how it is fondly called in pidgin or gras muruk given to someone signifies a leader/chief.

Comments

  1. UnknownFebruary 22, 2019 at 2:46 PM

    Powerful👍

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownFebruary 22, 2019 at 3:14 PM

    Love this!
    Kezz.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. WaliFebruary 24, 2019 at 3:58 PM

      Check out the book Melanesian Leadership it should be on the shelf and read it if you can and we share notes.

      Delete
  3. J.TaniaFebruary 22, 2019 at 11:02 PM

    Our culture has customs that allow for caring, protection, sharing and respect. Only when the individual puts their desires above others does it start to break down. On the leadership level, culture and tribal pride can be an enabler to allowing individuals to thrive even if overall effect may be injustice and lack of equitable prosperity. Since a thousand tribes are now one country, we have to bring our melanesian values togather. We should see ourselves as one and form an identity that takes is the best of melanesian, christian and western ideals.

    ReplyDelete
  4. WaliFebruary 24, 2019 at 4:03 PM

    @J.Tania thanks for the comments Yes and we need to bring that back into our society I feel as the older generation passes this values and beliefs are also passing. The challenge now would be how we can continue to instill and nurture this in the younger generation. I believe in the Melanesian leadership one that the world is yet to see.

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