Oil Search Pacific Games Relay in the Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province
The day’s Relay started at Kaibola Primary School, on Kirawina, where hundreds of students were dressed in traditional Trobriand bilas to welcome the Baton.
The elementary students created a paddling escort to formally welcome for the Baton, followed by the older girls performing the sago dance with head girl, Mary, holding the Baton, followed by the senior boys creating the Uriya dance that mimics the millipedes found on the island.
Next it was time for a short canoe ride over to the new cruise ship jetty before the Relay wound its way around the island, including over the former World War 2 air base which is now a collection of gardens struggling on the koronas base.
At Tubowada village and school, the students and community acted out the yam harvest with frenetic dancing and whistling as they loaded a yam house with the harvest and the Baton.
The Baton was handed to the Trobriand Paramount Chief at the village of Omarakana before heading through the villages of Kabwaku, Okaikoda, Yalumgwa and Gumlababa.
At Omarakana the Baton was taken up the yam towers being prepared for feasting.
Schools lined the road patiently waiting for the Baton and Tura to appear in convoy before the Baton was passed down their lines with clockwork precision.
The Relay then continued through the villages of the island before taking a break at Wawela Beach to catch sight of the neighbouring islands of Kitava and Vakuta.
The relay finished at Sinaketa where the community showcased the Kula Trade activities and canoes, taking the Baton by canoe to Losuia for its overnight stop.
The Oil Search Pacific Games Relay will continue its Milne Bay island hopping tomorrow and fly by Defence Force helicopter to Goodenough Island.
Photo credit: madNess Photography
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