16/04/2024
HOW TRADITIONAL SALT IS PROCESSED///
Enga's very own traditional salt making is an amazing artwork, and here how it goes. Beforehand, selective tree species such as Milya, Suk, Tindikop and Komoi whose partly decomposed logs were submerged in water. They are user friendly because no charcols have to remain after burning. The logs are allowed to dip in the salt pond for 5-8 months after which time crust is seen to form around the logs. Prior to salt processing, makeshift shelter is built at the pond site and its floor cemented with clay soil to ensure smoothness. After that logs will be removed from the ponds and allowed to dry for 12-24 hours before billets are criscrossed to build a pyramid structure. Then set ablaze underneath. Burning may take up to 4-6 hours until everything turns into milky white ashes which indeed is the priced salt. Leaves from soft herbs called saga or sundu have been prepared for packing. A wooden scoop is used to collect fine ashes to make couples of round parcels ready for sale or trade. The salt in Mulisos is highly priced and rated A Grade compared to other salt ponds in Pilikambi and Enga. The old methodology and trade involving people in the past will be demonstrated. A young bride will be paid using traditional salt to establish social relations and which shows how exchange of food stuffs and services reaching either sides in the past by way of erecting traditional cane-bridge to reaffirm the common Engan saying "Wanaku Ipa Toko" (Girls are bridges).
Date: 15-16 August, 2024
Venue: Laiagam Field
Click on the link for EMTV News.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ysl2JwoUwXU
βπΏ Tony Sulupin
