The Hiri Moale Festival 2024

Event Details

2024 Hiri Moale Festival

Celebrating the culture of the Motu Koitabu people in Central Province and the National Capital District of Papua New Guinea.

When

  • March 22, 2024
  • March 24, 2024
  • 12:00 PM
  • 12:00 PM

Where

  • Champion Parade , NCD , Apec Haus, Sir Hubert Murray Stadium
  • Papua New Guinea

Cost

  • PGK FREE

Hiri Moale 2024 - News Feed

WEEKEND SCHEDULE FOR THE 2024 HIRI MOALE FESTIVAL.
 
Friday,  22 March
APEC House: Sponsors Night @ 6pm (Invited Guests Only). Stage Interview for 2024 Hanenamo’s.
 
Saturday, 23 March
Era Kone: Asiasi Race & Vanagi Race @ 8am & Lagatoi Arrival @ 4pm (Open to Public).
 
Sunday, 24 March
Sir Hubert Murray Stadium: Cultural Performances @ 1pm & Hiri Hanenamo Crowning @ 5pm (Open to Public).

Acknowledgement to Motu Koitabu Assembly Host of the Hiri Moale Festival 2024.

Live Feeds

March 24, 2024 at 5:13 pm

The Kido Dance group
Young and old getting into the rhythm. It’s a fantastic atmosphere as the countdown begins.
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March 24, 2024 at 5:09 pm

Packed Crowd
There’s a packed crowd on the grandstand eagerly awaiting for the crowning of the Hiri Queen.

March 24, 2024 at 4:58 pm

Kisere Sance Group
The Gaire Kisere Dance group dancing at the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. Gaire is a coastal village, located 46.6 kilometres by road Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea. March Girls resort is located in Gaire. A nice place for a weekend getaway from the city.
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March 24, 2024 at 3:08 pm

Final Day
It’s the last and final day. Sir Hubert Murray Stadium is the venue for the traditional singing and dancing as well as the much awaited crowning of the Hiri Queen
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March 23, 2024 at 10:54 pm

Today in 30 Seconds
Hope you've enjoyed our coverage of today's events. Many thanks to Bizprint & Scan and of course the Papua New Guinea Tourism Promotion Authority. 👍 💯
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March 23, 2024 at 10:51 pm

Oalabada Arrives
The Lagatoi arrived around 5pm. It's an amazing sight to see. A structure so big, out in the ocean, in search of food to trade in exchange with claypots numbering 1,000 - 3,000. It's truly amazing isn't it.
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March 23, 2024 at 10:44 pm

The Koita Tabu-Dubu
This is the Tabu-Dubu or dubu as it is known for short. It is a platform made up of two carved beams on four carved upright posts. A clan in the village has a particular pattern which they can carve on each post. Why make this dubu?

Motu Koitabuans, traditionally, have a way of showing their gardening prowess or status. The dubu is the medium or “platform” to express it. In most cases, it is the clan chief that initiates the erection of the dubu. But the dubu is also symbolic of village co-operation or working together. This is shown through the posts or duhu.

The instigator carves and erects the front right hand post. This is the most important post which is called Idibana duhuna.

The instigator calls a supporter who is willing to help him express his status and display his prowess. This supporter carves and erects the left hand post which is called the Laurina duhuna.

And the same sequence applies where the originator’s supporter seeks two other helpers for the back posts which are called Dura duhuna and the beams which are called Idikahana.

Singing and dancing follow on completion.
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March 23, 2024 at 10:43 pm

Dancing on the Shore
The traditional dancing is an integral part of the arrival of the Lagatoi. It's a form of welcom, joy and not to mention relief considering the long periods the crew were away from home. Some of the wives who waited for long periods remarried. Such was the nature of life filled with emotion, anxiety and uncertainty. #Hiri24
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March 23, 2024 at 6:01 pm

Former Rugby Star Awaits for Lagatoi
Even for Queensland Reds Fullback, attired in traditional costume with his young family anxiously waited for the arrival of the Oalabada Lagatoi.
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March 23, 2024 at 5:55 pm

The Lagatoi has arrived
Oalabada has arrived. The very first Lagatoi made by Edai Siabo was called Oalabada- after the mighty crocodile. Take close note that most of the musical instruments used is a “sede” made of bamboo stick. In the olden days kundu drums were forbidden. Magnificent site!
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March 23, 2024 at 5:30 pm

The old and young await
Even the old are here today to sway to the beat of the “sede” a bamboo musical instrument. To the old it’s revisiting the past and showing the young the practice of old which must be remembered and carried on. Culture lives only if we allow it to. Hiri Moale Festival is testament to this.
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March 23, 2024 at 4:44 pm

Hanenamos wait on the shores
The Hiri Hanenamos have arrived and they eagerly wait at Era Kone for the arrival of the Lagatoi.
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March 23, 2024 at 4:23 pm

The dancing commences
A wonderful spectacle now as the dancers are beating the sede and swaying to it. The arrival of the Lakatoi brings so much joy. It isn’t just about the arrival, it’s about survival knowing that they have food traded from the Gulf. They will survive the dry season which sums up what the Hiri is - a journey to trade for survival.
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March 23, 2024 at 3:52 pm

Ankit Jalova
Ankit Jalova is the winner of the A Grade Trukai Canoe racing competition and the young kids waiting at shore went wild. Saubolo comes in second and Heraky third.
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March 23, 2024 at 3:12 pm

The Spirit of the Festival
The AsiAsi is a miniature version of the Vanagi and the Motuans have organized races for these crafts.

Later this afternoon, an even bigger canoe known as the Lakatoi will be coming ashore and it is a sight to behold. With no technical knowledge or equipment it certainly is amazing how they built these huge vessels. But it isn't just about the actual construction of it. The sacredness or "helaga" as we call it is to be respected and taught to the younger generation. These vessles were used for trading with the Gulf in the west of Papua New Guinea. But before they could embark on the trading journey, a song and dance called the Ehona was performed. It is a ritual, and a call to the dirava (a God of the underworld) on whose instructions these were given to the original builder of the vessel, Edai Siabo of Boera Village.

To truly understand and appreciate the event, one must know or understand what the event is about, how it came about and more important and why it exists. This is, the essence, the true spirit of the festival.
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March 23, 2024 at 2:56 pm

50th HMF Trukai Vanagi
B Grade

After course #10

1.Ankit Jalova
2.Saubolo
3.Mauronza
4.Heraky
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March 23, 2024 at 2:11 pm

Asi Asi
A AsiAsi participant getting prepared for the race.
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March 23, 2024 at 11:27 am

B Grade Placings after Course 1
1.Ankit Jalova
2.Mauronza
3.Heraky
4.Ankit
5.Wilz Sawiah
6.Biba Kooka
7.G2 Nopz
8.? Yet to confirm
9.Brothers
10.Natugu
11.Duk C
12.Saubolo
13.Warrior Princess
14.Heraia

Now heading to course 2
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March 23, 2024 at 10:31 am

Asi Asi
This is a miniature version of the Vanagi or Canoe and No it's not just for display purposes. Motuans love this as a hobby. On the shore, races are organized and there is some serious competition. Asi Asi is part of the Hiri Moale 2024 and as you can see, they're getting prepared for the races this morning.
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March 23, 2024 at 10:29 am

The Traditional Name
ERA KONE is the traditional name of Ela Beach. ERA means turtle, and KONE is beach so literally Turtle Beach. It's obviously descriptive of the events took place in the past. A place for turtles!
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March 23, 2024 at 10:12 am

A beautiful view
Kids enjoying the sea and sand. While adults preparing for the race. #hiri24
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March 23, 2024 at 9:57 am

B Grade Canoes
It's truly a great turn out indeed. Lovely atmosphere. full of colour full of participation #hiri24
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March 23, 2024 at 9:51 am

Vanagi Race
Vanagi or Canoe Race started this morning with the B Grade. Lovely morning here at Era Kone. Here are the list of canoes racing. 1 disqualified. so only 14 racing this morning
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March 23, 2024 at 9:17 am

2008 Hiri Hanenamo
This was in 2008. Then 19 year old Rere David from Tatana was crowned The 2008 Hiri Hanenamo Queen. A staggering 23 young ladies contested the Hiri Queen title.
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March 23, 2024 at 8:43 am

Hiri Queen 2009
15 Years ago Tumanu Korema of Gaire Village was crowned the Hiri Queen.
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