Modern Papua Niuginian

This piece was written around this time two years ago. Upon the tragic loss of my cousin brother which left our families shattered and bitter. Photo courtesy of Emtv online. Dedicated to late Timot Kavanamur.   Words written but not spoken Hidden fears brushed away awoken Parents regret that release Siblings cry "come back please!"   Protecting your family was your duty Your strong-willed mind was your immunity Protecting your country was your dream Serving the people was in your blood stream   Law and order problems were at stake You said "Yes Sir" for peace sake You left without a chance to say goodbye That bullet left our hearts bitter and dry   Brother in blue full of life and humour You are our knight in shiny amour Young as you are, you are our pride Tough as you are, may your courage be our guide

My motherland is call Feni I belong to my mother's clan Korafi I belong to my mother's Hausboi Natem To get through life we have to faim tem (work together)   My mother's brother I call kang My mother's sister I call dong My brothers are my fefneklik My sisters are my kisiklik   My mother's uncles I call koko My mother's only sister is Tinwok My grandmother is Tinbutut Their relatives extend from Famanon to Nambutu   My mother's brother is my maimai He is in charge of our hausboi and nal (land) Our lifestyle is represented by the women's dikanfeuw (open coconut baskets) And this, this is my matrilineal peuwpeuw (traditional story)