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Tales of Somare: A holiday in Serongko

Originally posted at https://www.facebook.com/artiileh.dee/posts/2837830873099108

As my dad, Mr Don Garepe Goreekicne mourns & recalls with tears filled eyes on the passing of this Hero, Mamac Somare..it was 69 years ago, he was 8years old & Mamac Somare was 16 years old when they met, ate, drank, slept & spent the 2weeks together leaving behind his foot prints on our red soil (moreng bârong) Wareo-Finschhafen, Kâte LLG.

And so, on behalf of the Tribes, Clans & the people of Wareo, from the Song River to Masaweng River, Bush igo daun long nambis, Kâte & Wamâro, I would like to pay a special Tribute & huge Salute to you our Mamac, Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas Somare. Dangge Anutu for blessing us with this Great Leader full of Wisdom, who led us gained Independence through your Grace without blood shed..Jâmbomac.

It was in 1952, while attending Dregerhafen, Sir Somare decided to spend the term break (2 weeks) holiday with one of his best Kâte brothers, late Firiec Sâungbo(dad's uncle) & accompanied was late Samana (late Utula Samana's dad) a Waria man, Morobe Patrol Post.
The 3 left Dreger early the next morning, a ride on an Australian Austin truck that left them at the mighty Mape riverbank. They were paddled on a canoe to the other side by the locals. 

The walk began when they got off the canoe, all in their loin cloth (laplap) with their feet stepping on the mighty karanas, increasing their gait speed as they passed Church historical site, Simbang. The sun rise met them at Kamlawa village as they traversed Buming river.

The Kâte vernacular was there in the air when they passed Buangi, & as they got closer to Heldsbach. Siki was approaching and the 3 buddies decided to rest & spend few minutes at the WW2 historical spot, the beautiful outstretched Scarlet beach.

After satisfying their hunger with the school ration they had, it enhanced their energy to hike the bush track. 

The sun was up in front of the stretched blue sky with the snowy clouds as they stepped on their shadows, and it was time they crossed Song river washing away the sand on their feet. They took the bush track from Recko village to reach the main road to Wareo. As they were looming the main road, they quenched their thirst from the fetched freshwater. 

It was almost nightfall when they arrived at Serongko village, Wareo. My dad & family welcomed them home with chanting to the pound of Kundu & a word of prayer. 

After a hot taweng soup ( Singapore taro cut into pieces & cooked with choko leaves, added salt), they were all lined up in bed. Lying next to Firiec was Sir Somare, then Samana and my dad, all under one big WW2 issued yellow blanket with their feet toward the warmth of the fireplace.

The crowing roosters & the singing of the black birds welcomed the new day as the darkness was parting away. Grandma was already up with taweng zegoc (Singapore taro roasted) & tea for breakfast.

Whilst having breakfast, grandma announced the day's work in her Kâte tongue omitting Sir Somare since he's a visitor & not from Morobe, he's respected. Sir Somare knew what grandma was saying cos he was influenced by his Kâte brothers to learn & speak Kâte, with a humbled smile " I am also working & I'm here to help you all" 
And so he helped them carried timbers that they built a new house for my great grandma.

One evening after the meal, Sir Somare was so interested to learn about our spiritual gods before the missionaries came & so asked my grandpa. He started with his "Sana" the Peacemaker. Grandpa smilingly began.."taim blong haiden ya na mipla gat 5pla god" he continued calling their names & explaining. Sir Somare was enthusiastic to hear more about the last god named as "Pangu rangqa." A god that leads the other 4 gods & when he gives orders they all obey, a Leader god.

Almost 2 weeks was up, and a farewell feast was done with a butchered pig & fresh garden kaikai. Grandma preserved the pork meat in 3 bamboos for them to take back to Dregerhafen.
They were escorted by dad & family down Bush track to Siki & the 3 Kâte boys hoped on the Austin truck back to school. 
(Story by: Dad Don Garepe Goreekicne, 77years old) 
Since 2012, dad is the Pangu Advisor for Fisika region & as he started his political interest in 1972, while he was working with late Sir Harry Pelgens to raise funds & support Sir Somare to push for gaining Independence. (More to be told)
Deep down in dad's heart, he salute you his mentor, hero & once being part of our family, your Legacy lives on Mamac biang.😭💔💔

"WOFUNG E JAMBUNGGURÂ HONE MAING EGAREZEJEC. WOFUNG E ZÂNGE MAINEZI ÂKE TAMAECGURÂ ANONOCGUZEJEC. WOFUNG E ZÂNGE MAINE BÂFENGNEME SÂOCGUHA WAMA GAREZEJEC" JÂMBOMAC.
(Numbers 6: 24 - 26)

Dangge sâko, 
Mamac biang, RIEP 😭😭💔💔
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