Source: EMTV news

The West Papuan students from the University of Papua New Guinea have successfully celebrated the first West Papua National Day in Port Moresby so Saturday.

The West Papuan students from the University of Papua New Guinea have successfully celebrated the first West Papua National Day in Port Moresby so Saturday.

The day celebration was aimed at bringing the West Papuans living in Port Moresby together to celebrate their identity as one People.

The celebrations included dancers from Sorong, Manok Wari, Jayapura  and Serui areas of West Papau. And they displayed their culture through the beat of the drums.

National Capital District Governor Powes Parkop was at the event and encouraged West Papuans to develop their human resources in PNG and said the West Papuan people must become involved in the business sector.

He said though he supports the West Papuan’s struggle for Independence, he wants West Papuans to express their desire for freedom through their culture and language. 

Parkop also said he is willing to assist any West Papua Organisation in Port Moresby that is focused on building the welfare of the people.

He said despite West Papuans still living under the Indonesian Rule, much of the culture has been well preserved and passed on to the next generations

Parkop also announced that the West Papuan National Day will become an annual event, to be celebrated in the Nation’s Capital.

Under the theme “Embracing our Culture beyond Boundaries”, the day was celebrated with contemporary and traditional dances from seven groups in West Papua. 

To see the full Emtv vedio report below: