5th National Canoe & Kundu Festival
October 31 - 2 November
Milne Bay Province invites you to see,
enjoy, and build your own experience of the unique beauty of Milne Bay’s
rich cultural, traditional heritage portrayed in static and animated
displays. Novelty events on land and sea; competitions; sale of handcrafts and souvenir items. You also have a chance to step to the
beat of traditional drums or the 'old Samarai style' music and vote for the "Golden Guitar" award.
In Alotau town, activities start on Friday morning 31st October and ends on Sunday evening 2nd November. However, there is an evening program for each night from the 1st of November until the end of the Festival.
Feeder festivals start on the Monday 27th October at Wedau (All Saints celebrations), Waluma (Epoe celebrations), Samarai (Giniuba Kaihea), before sending off their canoes to EastCape - the first stopover for the races. All canoes must reach Wagawaga by Thursday night as all canoes must sail for Alotau on Friday morning in time for the Official Opening Ceremony.
There’s something for everyone: featuring different canoe categories: Rabaraba kukakukas, island/Kula decked sailaus, mainland non-decked sailaus, kukas, Bay single-hull war canoes (Lopos), Logeia kewokewos, and Mailu puapuas. Shore activities include traditional song and dance. village livelihood skills demonstrations, arts and crafts displays and novelty activities such as the popular Crazy Raft races, Walking Boat races, childrens activities, competitions and Interactive displays from Milne Bay Administration.
The Canoe Festival Committee is directed by Mr John Wills Kaniku, one of PNG's first authors, under the auspices of the Milne Bay Tourism Bureau Board.
Email milnebaytourism.gov.pg
Activities
- arts and crafts displays and demonstrations
- Traditional Dancing
- Novelty events for the children
- Canoe racing - long, medium, and short distance
- Canoe exhibition of manouvers, and joy rides
- String bands song competition.
- Combined Churches Service
- Drama
- Choir gospel and Peroveta singing
- show stalls; and more
Raft race
