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History of Papua New Guinea

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19/11/2024

Coming Soon, to History of Papua New Guinea! If anyone can tell us what's the Story behind this Great Man!

08/11/2024

Story

AIBALE TIMOTHEUS FACES CHANGE - SIASSI

Aibale Timotheus, a man of many talents, was born in the 1890s on Mandok Island, South of Umboi, the main Island in the Siassi Group. The first white men he saw were German traders who came looking for coconuts and trepang. The Mandok people thought the whites with their long trousers and boots, were funny and at first, they wondered what was under their long trousers. The whites had so many interesting items that Aibale decided they were worth studying.
Aibale a curious young man, was fascinated when he noticed the strange marks the Germans had on their bags of rice and flour and that they scribble on pieces of paper. The islanders used sharp flints to make marks on their canoes but the German markings were quite different. But for Aibale it was a learning point for him for days and months hard work. He started copying the markings and eventually taught himself how to read and write. He then started to learn the calendar, and this enabled him to keep records of events in the village including births and deaths.
In 1914, Aibale heard the whites were talking about a faraway war they were involved in. This took a different turn for the Mandoks because war to them was fought only for land and women. It was not long the Germans left, and the Australians arrived. They were all dressed in white. So, the Australians began to impose laws for the Mandoks to follow. Mandoks were given fishing hooks, knives and other items to use.
During that period everyone on Siassi Island were Christians but for the Mandoks, they were not interested in Christianity. They refused the missionaries because they never wanted to stop their traditional singings, dancing and pig killing ceremonies. Missionaries could not get into Mandok as they were not welcomed.
By 1936 the Mandok people were converted to Christians, and they asked for the priests at Kilenge to send teachers and built a small church school. Aibale was at the forefront to learn faster even knowing numbers. After the 1942 war, Aibale began translating lessons and prayers into Kilenge local language.
However, Aibale was one who knew that the white man’s influence was demanding that he was very concerned that it was slowly destroying their culture and tradition and that one day it will all disappear. He later died in March 1979 as one of the first Mandoks to become a self-learn white man’s language and way of life.

06/11/2024

Hello readers, fans and followers of we have finally published the story of the Hangings at Higaturu as our November Edition. Read story below.
This is perhaps the most famous photograph of the War in Papua and New Guinea. It shows Raphael Oimbari of Hanua village near Popondetta, leading an Australian soldier, Private George Whittington, from the battlefield near Buna on the North Coast. The photograph was taken by George Silk. There are status of Oimbari and George in Port Moresby and Canberra, the capitals of Papua New Guinea and Australia.

Credit:

06/11/2024

Story

THE HANGINGS AT HIGATURU IN ORO PROVINCE

At Higaturu between July and September 1943, the Australian Army hanged 22 Orokaiva people of Oro (then Northern) Province. They had been found guilty and sentenced to death for either murdering, or handing over to the Japanese several missionaries, Australian soldiers and American Airmen. Some Australian army officers who had worked in Papua and New Guinea before the war recommended that death sentences be carried out.
There were no tools at Higaturu to build gallows so a tall breadfruit tree was chosen for the first five hangings on 5th of July. One of the first to be executed was Embogi, a leader of the great power among some Orokaiva.
Thousands of people from nearby villages came to watch the Australian officer in charge, District officer Thomas Grahamslaw, spoke to them in Motu, which only some people understood. He said that the people being hanged were responsible for the deaths of some Australians and Americans.
Grahamslaw wrote later that everyone present were deeply affected by the speeches made by each of the men to be hanged. Embogi, who was a gifted orator, was particularly impressive. All of the men, said Grahamslaw, spoke bravely of how they were ready to pay with their lives for what they had done.
Soon after, instructions came from Port Moresby to build gallows and hang the remaining 17 prisoners. The gallows were built in a valley a few kilometers south of Higaturu. Several days before the executions were due, relatives and friends of the condemned men began walking to the valley. They cried out and beat their drums and women cut their faces with stones.
Grahamslaw said that everyone-Australians and Orokaivans-felt very depressed. Thousands packed the hillsides surrounding the gallows and were silent as the condemned men were led out. All but two made a speech before being hanged, two at a time. Some bodies were hanged over to relatives and others were buried in the Higaturu cemetery.
The Australian army headquarters staff believed that the decision to hang the 22 men was the correct one. Their opinion was that Papua New Guinean people who had murdered Australians should be hanged. They also believed that those who helped the Japanese to fight and kill the Australians were traitors, and should also be hanged. They thought that, because the territories of Papua and New Guinea were under Australian control, its people should all have been on Australia’s side during the war.
Other people such as the Anglican Bishop Philip Strong, believed the situation was more complicated. He said that before the war the Australian government was unpopular with many Orokaiva people and he was surprised that only a few of them had helped the Japanese.
When the Japanese arrived, some Orokaivans, like, Embogi, who had opposed the Australians for years, saw their chance to push them out. Also, Strong said there were only a few white people in the area and most left when thousands of Japanese arrived in 1942.
The Australians had never before seen to run away and it seemed, to the Orokaivans, that the day of whites was finished. Some believed the Japanese were really the Spirits of the Orokaiva ancestors and had come to deliver lots of food and other goods to them.
Some historians and other writers have said it is important to remember that many people of Papua and New Guinea were caught between the two opposing armies. Both the Japanese and the Australians killed village people if they helped either sides.
At first the Japanese forces were greatly superior, to some it seems wiser to help them rather than the Australians. During the war people in Australia heard nothing of the executions. They read stories written by war reporters describing the Orokaiva people as heroes because of the way they helped in the fight against the Japanese.
Hundreds risked their lives and many died fighting, carrying supplies and helping wounded Australians. A famous photograph of the war in Papua and New Guinea shows an Orokaivan man, guiding a wounded Australian soldier towards medical help.

Pic: Courtesy of George Silk

30/07/2024

Hello, readers, fans and followers of , we are about to bring you one of our special editions to our Remembrance Day which was recently celebrated in our country.

THE HANGINGS AT HIGATURU - COMING SOON!

21/07/2024

Shout out to our newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

Michael Anis, Timothy Kirio, PJ Marsh, Jon Kundiet Hofa, Damne Kumul Ari Bop, Rodney Yukut, Arnold C Juvai, Egxie Seen, Valentine Tukana, Markhus Rumu, Laho Lari, Iso Pai Sui, Neps Muna, Gaba Ako, Paul Kausa, Hosea Kaelam Jnr, Joseph Mipari, Belina David, Pungi Put, Puele Renagi, Ivan Ori, Janet Andandi, Xbolt Shocker, Hoff Goro, Edrick Tomi, Brian Pandaoxx, Clement Tine, Joe Morex Wiwe, Elias Walo, Douglas Benoni, Christopher Valeba, Kosie Sali, Seri William Peter, Philip Wangii, Gafoh Levi, Delma Johnson, Mar Kay Ako, ẞtàñlèy Àmbàlàñg, Win Itana, Enoch Berua, Joshua Miviri, Wantok Smash, Bagle Gewa, Jorge Darío, Elly Bobson, Otto Tossie Gabu, Tii'zzie Em Yet, Pais Kar Tiki, Wensko Api, Joey Maelau

05/07/2024

This is Sergeant Bagita Aromau of Fergusson Island. He was the most respected and highly decorated of all Papuan policemen.

05/07/2024

Pictured from left to right: George Gough (gaoler), GOAVA OA, Tom Gough (European Constable) and KARO ARAUA.

This is a potential Movie Story Documentary! Read main story below.

05/07/2024

Story

KARO ARAUA – HALF KEREMA, HALF HULA

It was on August 8th 1938, Karo Araua of Motu Motu village was hanged at Badili in Port Moresby infront of his people.
It was a Monday and all work and school stopped as thousands of people from the town and surrounding areas turned out to watch what was going to become one of the most terrifying and saddest day to witness.
Karo’s troubles started 10 years ago when he travelled from Motu Motu to Port Moresby to join the Armed Native Constabulary. In September 1929, it was his turn with Armed Constable Bili to carry the mailbag to Kokoda. On the way, they argued and Karo shot Bili, killing him.
When Karo reported what had happened, he was charged and found guilty of murder and sentenced to 5-years hard labour at Badili Gaol. When he was released Karo began to look for easy ways to make money. So he went to Hula, his mother’s village with 3 of his friends, Opa, Tete and Ori.
Soon they were in trouble and police were looking for them. They were captured and taken to Rigo Government Station to be questioned about a trade store robbery. Unfortunately, there was no evidence so they were released. Karo however was fined 2-shillings and 6-pence for wearing a shirt without permission.
In those days local men were not allowed to wear shirts or clothing above the waist under the Australian Administration. The administration decided had decided shirts for local people were unhealthy. While the Assistant Resident Magistrate Ivan Champion was questioning them, Karo noticed metal safe in the corner of the office. Already he knew it contained money.
Two weeks later Karo and two of his other friends returned to Rigo and stole the safe, smashed it open and with an axe and found £130 (Pound). It would have taken any Papuan to several years to earn such a sum.
Champion was amazed when he got to work and saw the safe was missing because it was the first time anything like that had happened anywhere else in Papua. So, he asked the police headquarter in Port Moresby for help and Sergeant Bagita Aromau was sent to Rigo.
Bagita suspected that it was Karo and his friends so soon they picked them up and took them to Rigo for questioning. Tete confessed to the robbery in exchange for freedom and showed Bagita where they had buried some of the money. So Karo and Opa where sentenced to ten years in prison.
Karo was sent to Samarai gaol, and was soon thinking of ways to escape so he secretly rubbed the juice of lala tree into his eyes knowing it would only cause temporary blindness. Then he started stumbling around with a stick, pretending to be blind so the head of the gaol transferred him to Badili gaol.
He was taken to the hospital and was treated however he pretended to be blind and was given a sunglass and allowed to stay in the prison while other prisoners went out to work.
The final episode in Karo’s life began on June 7th 1938. It was time for breakfast and the head of the gaol Ume Hau his wife and Boio Vage and their daughter Igua Ume were missing. After 2 days of searching the family’s bodies were discovered on nearby island next to Badili gaol.
Sergeant Bagita was again asked to question the prisoners, finally Karo confessed that he had lured the three victims to the island by pretending he would show them a magic trick for making money and there he slit the throat of the three.
Karo was asked why he did that and he said another prisoner Goava Oa had urged him to kill Ume perhaps he thought he was in debt to Goava for allowing him to see his sister when she visited the gaol. Goava was also angry with Ume because he never treated him properly. Karo then said he had to kill Boio and Igua so there would be no eye witnesses.
It was because of this Karo was sentence to death and was hanged at Badili. Many Papuans watched and cried and chanted songs, Port Moresby came to a standstill no work everything was ceased that day. All agreed Karo’s crimes were terrible but for once the Whites were made to take notice of a Papuan.
The Port Moresby Newspaper, the Post-Courier seldpom mentioned a Papuan’s name but Karo had been on the front page for weeks. Even sergeant Bagita saw something in Karo admire and later wrote him a poem as his tribute to the late Karo Araua.

05/07/2024

Good afternoon all. The story we all been waiting for is HERE!
Oh KARO ARAUA!

07/06/2024

History of Papua New Guinea is proud to present
THE STORY OF KARO ARAUA
Motuans & Gulf people will remember!

04/06/2024

Hello fans, readers and followers; we have another interesting edition coming up. But please read our latest edition about the story of RABAUL STRIKE.

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