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The last trading trip was made in the late 1950s when a lakatoi sank off the coast of Boera village costing several lives.įor visitors, the festival is not only a unique cultural experience but, in the modern day context, a significant festival drawing together PNG’s other diverse tribal traditions. The return trips were arduous and dangerous as the west wind brought with it storms. The long period away from home could cause uncertainty, resulting in some wives of crew members re-marrying. The trade would take only a few days but the entire voyage usually took two to three months.ĭuring the long wait, repairs were done on the canoes and relationships were strengthened among the traders. Return trips brought a bountiful supply of sago to last throughout the drought. This and subsequent trips were necessary because at this time of the year there was usually drought along the Motuan coast. He and his friends built a lakatoi and made the first trip to the Gulf. Siabo was said to be inspired by a sea spirit after a fishing trip. After the trade, they returned eastwards when the winds changed to the Laurabada.Īccording to history, the first sailing trip was led by an Edai Siabo of Boera village. The Motuan men sailed west before the Lahara (south-easterly winds). When the men returned, only the virgins welcomed them, singing and dancing in celebration of their safe return,” she added. “No matter how long the voyage takes, the young girls had to sit in the house and wait. “Young sisters, wives, and mothers have to sit in the house waiting for the return of the young men who had gone for the Hiri voyage,” Meroni said. The contestants dress up to welcome the Hiri Moale lakatoi, a large double hulled trading canoe, as it re-enacts a return from a traditional expedition to the Gulf.Īnother former Hiri queen, Meroni Anama, who was crowned in 1988, said the men traded yam and clay pots for sago. “It’s how well we know our culture, our tradition and the Hiri Moale trade,” Hebou said. Women from villages in the Motu Koitabu region aged between 18 and 25 are eligible to enter the contest.Ī former Hiri-Moale Queen Hebou Dikana said cultural knowledge of the traditional Hiri trade and accomplished traditional dancing were important for contestants. Today many of the components of village life are taken into consideration by the judges including authentic tattoo designs, bodily decoration and ornaments relating to the woman’s village. Approval and appraisal by village elders honour such a person. Elegance and grace in carrying out duties and performances are also considered. Hiri Hanenamo is not attributed to beauty alone, beauty being only one aspect of being a Hiri queen. A contestant for Miss Hanenamo, Hiri Moale Festival, 2017