Mona Festival begins

The three-day 2024 Mona Festival has begun at Sohano Island in Buka.

Named after the traditional dugout canoe for the people of North Bougainville, the Mona Festival is a cultural show that showcases the traditions, cultural identity, and the people’s maritime history.

The Mona, as it is known in many coastal villages of North Bougainville was used by the forefathers to voyage across the seas to neighboring islands in times of war or on fishing expeditions.

As the centerpiece of the festival, the festival’s first day began with the Mona being paddled by Mona makers of Buka through the Buka Passage from Kukul to Sohano Island where it was launched amidst the colors of the different performing cultural groups.

President of Bougainville, Ishmael Toroama in his remarks at the launch said such events protect the cultural identity of the people.

He iterated that, the festival is fitting in times like today where traditions and cultures are slowly disappearing, and that policies must be created to protect the people and their identity.

"We must have a policy that protects our identity", the president said

The National Cultural Commission's Noah Mampene gave assurance of their commitment to promoting and protecting the cultural diversity of Papua New Guinea and Bougainville. 

This year’s mona festival runs with the theme, Discover Bougainville, Embrace Culture, and Celebrate Diversity.

The festival is on its second day with various traditional dances, plays, live band performances, and many more.