Governor Soso and the EHPG have passed a notion to replace the Traditional Icon (Nokondi) with the Kumul-Bird of Paradise (PNG’s national symbol) and call it the Lahani after the provincial Rugby league team!
Interestingly the PNG national government also launched it's own warfare against traditional totem poles in the parliament labeling it ‘evil’ in a cleansing exercise instigated by certain parliamentarians spear headed by the speaker a few months ago. Interestingly the government decisions to date since the cleaning exercises have not fared well with the general public and learned citizens, many even claim has been the worst in PNG history.
Whoever are pushing this agenda to Governor Soso are surely not from Eastern Highlands and are internal immigrants blaming the Nokondi for the lack of progress, the lack of confidence to part take in national debates in parliament and under performance by public servants in EHP and even the missing millions from the provincial coffers?
The national symbol, the Kumul has also been used by the same groups who oppose the Nokondi as a 'spirit of pride' responsible for the country's poor performance and corruption rankings and have even suggested for it to be replaced by a more 'humble' insignia.
The Nokondi is a unifying icon unique to the ancient peoples of what is now Eastern Highlands Province. Nokondi legend is found in traditional Eastern Highlands folklore and is a unique distinguishing feature in the tribes in Eastern Highlands and nowhere else in the world.
The Lahani is the provincial rugby league team name and is not a common lingua term for the province. Governor Julie Soso, please leave the Nokondi alone and concentrate on real issues.
