Pasin Tumbuna Festival has been hailed a success with more than 2200 people attending the event to witness more than 100 cultural ambassadors display and share traditional skills and activities.

Held in partnership with the National Capital District Commission (NCDC), Pasin Tumbuna Festival (Festival of our Ancestors) was an initiative developed by Port Moresby Nature Park, which wanted to create an event that showcased cultural traditions and skills that are at risk of diminishing due to modernisation.

The day was filled with more than 40 unique activities including traditional food preparation, storage and cooking, traditional weaving techniques, traditional bilas creation, traditional carving, traditional instrument playing and making, and more.

Visitors were able to mingle with the cultural ambassadors, observe and ask questions as well as try out various activities to develop a deeper appreciation and understanding of the skill at hand.

Alice Kuaningi, PNG Tourism Promotion Authority’s director marketing, also attended the event and commended the Nature Park and its partners for coming up with such initiative, noting that the festival added great tourism potential.

Port Moresby Nature Park’s general manager, Michelle McGeorge, said: “The idea of the Pasin Tumbuna Festival is to learn and have a go at cultural skills and traditions that we just don’t see in a modern Port Moresby, which makes this event exciting as it is appealing to both residents and tourists alike.

“I also want to take the opportunity to thank all the cultural groups and cultural ambassadors that participated and showcased their amazing skills and traditional talents and to our sponsor partners for enabling this event,” Ms McGeorge added.

The event was also part of tourism week celebrations and was supported by the PNG Tourism Promotion Authority and The National newspaper.

The Nature Park also played host to the 2017 Lukim PNG Nau Tourism Expo on the same day.