08/10/2026
NAKANAI, WEST NEW BRITAIN — Nakanai District Administrator Jeffrey OSA has called for greater protection of traditional customs and cultural values, warning that Papua New Guinea risks losing an important part of its identity if young people are not taught the traditions of their communities.
Mr. OSA said customs and traditions form the foundation of a people’s identity because they preserve history, values, traditional knowledge and social practices from one generation to the next.
“Our customs and traditions are the foundation of who we are as a people,” he said.
He said the preservation of culture should be treated as an important part of nation-building and should involve traditional leaders, chiefs, elders, parents, schools, communities and the Government.
Mr. OSA said the Aus Boy system was an important traditional institution that should be maintained throughout Papua New Guinea.
He described the system as a traditional school where chiefs and elders pass down stories, customs, traditional knowledge and cultural practices to younger generations.
“The Aus Boy system must be maintained throughout the country because it serves as a traditional school where chiefs and elders pass on our stories, customs, traditional knowledge and cultural practices to our young people,” he said.
Mr. OSA said Nakanai people have their own strong cultural values that guide relationships within families and communities.
He highlighted the traditional respect shown to chiefs and elders, as well as the importance of respecting in-laws and cousins.
He said Nakanai customs also provide guidelines on appropriate behavior around elders and in-laws, including the traditional practice of not walking directly in front of them.
Respect for cousins is also regarded as an important cultural value, while traditional marriage rules prohibit marriage between certain close relatives, including cousin brothers and sisters.
Mr. OSA said such customs provide young people with an understanding of respect, discipline, family relationships and community responsibilities.
“These are values that have guided our people for generations, and we must ensure that our children understand why they are important,” he said.
The Nakanai District Administrator also called on the Government to strengthen cultural education in schools.
He proposed that consideration be given to allocating one day each week for students to participate in cultural programs and traditional learning.
Mr. OSA said academic education was important, but children should also understand their cultural identity and traditional heritage.
“If we fail to teach our children our culture today, we risk losing the identity and traditions that make us who we are tomorrow,” he said.
He said chiefs and elders should be given opportunities to work with schools and communities to teach young people traditional stories, customs, values, language and cultural practices.
Mr. OSA also acknowledged Hon. Francis Galia Maneke, Member for Nakanai and Minister for Oil Palm, for his continued support towards development in the district. He said development was important for improving the lives of people in Nakanai, but it should go hand in hand with the preservation of the district’s cultural identity.
Mr. OSA said communities must therefore embrace development while continuing to protect the customs and values that make Nakanai unique. “Development and culture must go hand in hand,” he said.
He urged parents, chiefs, elders, teachers, community leaders and young people to take collective responsibility for preserving Nakanai culture.
“Let us preserve our customs, educate our children, respect our elders and pass our culture proudly to the next generation,” Mr. OSA said.
This version is written more like a mainstream PNG newspaper report—with the strongest news point in the lead, supporting cultural examples in the middle, and the acknowledgement of Hon. Maneke toward the end
