Value our indigenous knowledge

Globalization and the so-called inevitable ideology of a global village is somewhat the amplified message fed to the mass population through media and academia. It is by far the seen as a normal trend that the world will eventually end up this way.

No doubt that technological advancement, the internet, gadget innovation and computerization of devices, TV hip-hop and Hollywood culture and the capability to compromise tyranny of distance of course make the world much smaller communication wise. Not to mention the increased dialogue and interaction between states and multinational corporations is the authentication of the ideology that no state is in perfect isolation.

So what is this rumbling of globalization, technology and culture all about you may ask? Well, first and foremost; this is a pivotal time in this day and age in a region like PNG, where our heritage is firmly defined in our unwritten past. Not to mention the claim of so-called backward culture which some might view is an important source of reference.

Making sago the Milne Bay way

We have to acknowledge our and value our origins, in our own societies through our language, certain unique cultural traits and practices define us.

    

So what does mean for us Melanesians? This small group of peoples in the South Pacific, yet the most diverse in culture; must clearly define our role in this ever changing and apparently ‘fast lane’ world.

What is happening to Melanesia now is a trend that continually and too often compromise values that have been practiced for thousands of years. Our indigenous innate artistic talents versus the convenience the ‘instant’ culture clashes with the latter being the alternative choice.

      

However, what connotes the meaning of defining ourselves will be a challenge for the 13+ million inhabitants of Pacific with a diversity that makes it ever more challenging in this day and age.

Culture extinction is becoming a norm that is inevitable; however, should we turn the coin and see that it is through our own ignorance that our cultures are becoming extinct. The reason varies in different places.

Hence it is important to hold onto indigenous knowledge, for it provides the basis of cultural systems based on beliefs of the super natural and nature together as one. These belief systems hold the history of the origins of cultures, language connections and even migration and trade between different culture systems in Melanesia.

Indigenous knowledge holds a deep but subtle values passed on generations to generations that cannot be written. Hence it is only important that if we are to hold what is rightfully ours and not become a lost generation, we have to know our oral history and do justice to our ancestors by passing our unique values to the future generation, and they in turn will have to do the same, and it goes on.