Background

Setting the scene

‘IN CHRIST THERE ARE MANY MEMBERS YET ONE BODY’ PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The theme chosen for Women’s World Day of Prayer 2009, “In Christ There are Many Members Yet One Body”, is very appropriate for Papua New Guinea (PNG) as the country has many languages, cultures, traditions and beliefs. Although the people are different in many ways they continue to experience the spirit of unity in diversity.

The independent state of PNG lies just below the Equator on the western side of the Pacific Ocean. To the west, PNG shares its main island with Indonesia’s province of West Papua formerly known as Irian Jaya. The island of New Guinea is the second largest island in the world, after Greenland. Its other neighbouring countries include Australia to the south, The Solomon Islands to the east and the Federated State of Micronesia to the north.

PNG comprises more than 600 islands and covers a total area of 474,000 square kilometres. The sea area is 1,900,000 square kilometres. This makes PNG the second largest country in the South Pacific.

The smaller island groups are known as the New Guinea Islands Region. Some of these islands are volcanic with many geothermal springs and dramatic mountain ranges. Most of the volcanoes are still very active. Volcanoes have contributed to the richness of the fertile soil where agriculture is vital to the welfare of the people.

One of the most striking features of PNG is the immense variety in its landscape. The central part of the island that makes up nearly a quarter of the country is over 1,000 metres above sea level and is known as the Highlands Region. Many of the mountains are over 4,000 metres. The temperature on the highest mountains can be as low as -14C all year round. Throughout the Highlands Region the climate is cool and wet while on the coastal areas it is hot and dry and, at times, very humid.

The northern shoreline of the mainland is liberally endowed with spectacular coral reefs, sandy beaches and rich maritime life. This region has an international reputation for scuba diving, surfing and fishing.

Population

PNG is one of the most uniquely diverse countries in the Pacific. There are Papuans with light brown skin and curly hair; mainland New Guineans and Islanders with dark brown skin and frizzy hair; Bougainvilleans who are darker or black in their skin colour. The population is 5.8 million with a growth rate of 2.7% per annum. Approximately 50% of the population is under the age of 18 years. PNG has three cities: Mt. Hagen, Lae and Port Moresby. The capital is Port Moresby and is the gateway to PNG. It is situated in the Southern Region and has a population of over 500,000 and, like the other two cities, is multicultural. Asians, Europeans including Australians and Americans, as well as Pacific Islanders are migrating to PNG especially for education, business and missionary purposes. The people of PNG and some of the Pacific countries such as Fiji, Vanuatu and The Solomon Islands are known as Melanesians and they make up 98% of PNG’s population.

While 15% of the population live in urban areas, 85% live in rural areas where they are mostly subsistence farmers. Much of the increase in population in the cities is due to a drift of families and young people from rural areas. This has created many squatter settlements where most people are unemployed and sadly many resort to crime as a means of survival.

Languages

There are over 800 distinct languages - of which more than half are unrelated - making up 14% of the world’s total number of languages! PNG has three official languages – English which is taught as a second language in all schools; Melanesian Pidgin which was introduced by the Germans in New Guinea and now serves as a common language; and Motu which is widely spoken in the coastal areas.

Some local languages, notably Kote and Yabem Bel, were used in schools and evangelism. This helped to bring unity between different coastal and highland tribes in the true spirit of the body of Christ.

History.

In the early 16th century, Portuguese navigators discovered the island of New Guinea. From then until the 19th century other navigator-explorers came from The Netherlands, France and Britain. Land claims did not begin until 1828 when the Dutch took control of the western half of New Guinea, known as Irian Jaya. Due to the rugged terrain and isolated village communities, the impact of colonization varied throughout the nation. In 1884, two European super powers raised their flags over the eastern part of the island of New Guinea: Germany along the northern coast; Britain in the south. In 1886 a formal division was made between German New Guinea and British Papua.

In 1906 British Papua was handed over to Australia to administer. At the end of World War I, Australia gained control of German New Guinea as well. Later, the two territories were combined to form the Trust Territory of Papua and New Guinea, which was administered by Australia until December 1st 1972 when selfgovernment status was given to Papua and New Guinea.

On September 16th 1975, Papua and New Guinea gained independence and became the Independent State of Papua New Guinea.

Government

PNG is governed by a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democratic system. The British monarch is still represented by the Governor General and the Prime Minister, Sir Michael Somare, is Head of the Government. The judiciary is an independent body and the highest court is the Supreme Court.

The country is divided into four administrative regions: Southern, Highlands, Momase and New Guinea Islands. Each consists of five to six provinces and is unique with its own tribal groups, languages, culture and traditions. There are 20 provinces including the National Capital District.

Parliament was established in the 1960’s and holds 109 seats. Members are elected every five years but very few women run for office and enter parliament – currently there is only one. She was instrumental in passing a law to enable individuals to be self-reliant and economically empowered through the social development programme. In the provinces women are represented in the Assembly, districts and local levels of government.

Economy and Natural Resources

The national currency is called the kina (PGK). 1 kina equals 100 toea and its value is approximately a third of an American dollar.

Papua New Guineans are encouraged to utilise their own resources such as land and sea to produce products for the global market. The country has been described as a “Mountain of gold floating on the sea of oil”. It is full of natural resources such as gold, silver, copper ore, natural oil and gas - which are currently mined and in production. Uranium and nickel mining operations are being developed. Yet the United Nations describes PNG as poor.

Tuna fish, beche-de-mer (sea cucumbers) and prawns are exported. The timber and fishing industries are two areas where exploitation is taking place. Most of these industries are managed by foreign developers who are ignoring guidelines set by the Government, so that very little infrastructure or development benefits local owners.

Tourism is a fast growing industry. Increasing numbers of people earn a living from operating small scale informal businesses in the urban areas.

Agriculture

Land is the most important resource and the livelihood of the people. The state owns approximately 3% of land while 97% is owned by families through the clan system. Papua New Guineans are excellent farmers. Thirty per cent of the country’s land is suitable for agriculture; soils are generally fertile and the climate and rainfall support the cultivation of a wide range of crops, both for domestic consumption and export markets.

Sweet potatoes, yams, taro (a green vegetable), bananas, tapioca, sago and fruits such as pineapples, mangoes and oranges are plentiful in the coastal areas. In the cooler regions of the Highlands, English potatoes, cabbages, broccoli and cauliflower are grown. Most of these are for local consumption and for sale at the local markets. Cash crops such as copra (the kernel of the coconut), cocoa, coffee, tea, palm oil, rubber and vanilla are grown by locals and are exported overseas. Coffee, tea, wheat, pyrethrum¹, gold and gas are also produced and exported. Fish farming in the Highlands is also a growing industry. Pig and chicken farming and cattle grazing for beef are expanding due to local demand. 1 Pyrethrum refers to several Old World plants of the genus Chrysanthemum which are cultivated as ornamentals for their showy flower heads. It is also the name of a natural insecticide made from the dried flower heads.

Culture

The indigenous inhabitants are one of the most heterogeneous in the world! However, cultural values and beliefs are the root of a PNG society. It is estimated that there are more than 1,000 cultural groups. There are many different languages, expressions of art, dances, costumes, music, architecture, and customs - such as initiations of adolescents into adulthood for males and females, marriage and family obligations and traditional beliefs.

One such culture is the patrilineal and matrilineal system. In a matrilineal society children inherit land, names and properties through their mother, whilst in a patrilineal society they inherit from their father. It is a concern that although a society is matrilineal a woman’s son or brother tends to take the authority in decision making, thus leaving women to be silent figures while the men are seen as the head. The ownership of lands around the copper mines caused uproar in the province of Bougainville, resulting in a 10-year civil war.

Papua New Guineans are known for their kindness and hospitality. The offering and sharing of betelnut - which is chewed with mustard and lime - is a sign of welcome and friendship towards another person regardless of ethnic group, language and tradition. In the coastal areas a kulau (young coconut) is shared and in the Highlands sugar cane. A cup of hot tea is always a pleasure to offer to visitors.

The people support one another in fulfilling customs and traditions in death, payment of bride price, and compensation - whether a relative or not. For example in bride price payments, the husband’s relatives often exchange money, food and shell monies with the woman’s relatives as a sign of the bond between the two families and their extended relatives. Customary payments at marriage and on the birth of children are seen as giving men the right to control their wives. When everyone helps a worthy cause, it is called a “wantok system”. Even if not related by blood, anyone who is an elder is respected and called mother or aunty, dad or uncle. The “wantok system” is rich and valued, but can be a burden when abused.

Women

In the past, Melanesian women had specific and distinctive roles to play in the community. They were the root of society and the backbone of stability and sustainability. Everything relating to the home was women’s responsibility. Gender inequality is now a great concern for women, as they are given a low status in society, especially in rural villages. Women are expected to tend to all family needs in addition to being child bearers. However, more women are now employed as pilots, engineers, doctors, lawyers, judges, lecturers and officers in the military forces – all positions previously dominated by men.

Approximately 60% of women are illiterate. Although they have land and property rights, many are still dependent on men for their economic survival. They continue to live in grass or sago thatched roof houses with no wooden floors and no electricity, and have to travel long distances for water and food.

Due to the low level of education, many women still lack power to make decisions in many situations. Even in the remotest areas where there is often no access by road, only by plane (which is very expensive) or by walking for hours, the churches, community based organisations and non-governmental organisations have helped in teaching adult literacy and other basic skills. The main factors in the spread of HIV and AIDS are gender inequality, gender violence and poverty. Churches, with the government and other stakeholders, work together against this deadly virus. Women learn as much as they can, at the same time raising awareness. They are also actively involved with people living with the disease. Churches have a distinguished history in the delivery of services in PNG, especially in relation to education, health and agriculture. Studies show that the rate of violence is very high, severely affecting the lives of the majority of women and children. Women and girls need initiatives that will empower them to claim their rights to education, secure women’s property and entitlements, protect rights to inheritance and promote women’s leadership, thus reducing violence against women and children.

reducing violence against women and children.

PNG has a high rate of infant mortality. In 2000 there were 79 deaths out of 1,000 live births and 370 mothers died for every 100,000 births. The health of PNG women and children is at risk and is amongst the poorest in the Pacific. Some of these problems would be helped if people had safe water and medical supplies in order to treat common diseases such as TB, malaria and pneumonia.

Religion

In recent years, a presence of Mormons and Muslims has begun to be seen. However, 96% of the population is Christian. Despite the many social issues including violence in its many forms, the churches have now acknowledged that they cannot remain silent. From PNG’s background of cultural and language diversity, all denominations have realised that working together to spread the love of God will influence society within homes and communities, and will be reflected in the nation.

The Women’s World Day of Prayer Committee is an example of this unity. It is comprised of women from different churches that are also members of the Papua New Guinea Council of Churches. Such unity is a living example of the theme “In Christ there are many members yet one Body” or in the common language of PNG, “God I bungim yumi long bodi bilong Kraist”.