News and Public Notices

The Department of Veterans Affairs, in partnership with the Ioro Veterans Association, Central Veterans Association and community leaders, will conduct the Erengdu’ Ritual from 10–11 August 2026 in Panguna as part of the reconciliation and peacebuilding process associated with the future redevelopment of the Panguna Mine.

The Erengdu’ ritual is a customary “Blood Cleansing” ceremony and a critical component of the reconciliation and peacebuilding process considered essential for the sustainable redevelopment of the Panguna Mine.

The ritual serves as a spiritual decommissioning and reconciliation ceremony. Its primary objectives are to release the land, the mine pit and the people from past oaths and “blood burdens” invoked during the Bougainville conflict, while providing psychological and spiritual freedom for veterans, landowners and families. It will be conducted under the theme of “Honouring their Sacrifice and Renewing our Resolve to Securing our Sovereignty”.

Minister for Veterans Affairs, Hon. Linus Dake Junior, said the role of veterans in the process had been misunderstood, particularly the perception that veterans were seeking to take over or force the resumption of Panguna Mine operations.

He said veterans should instead be recognised as partners in the process, drawing on their historical role in the struggle for the closure of the mine and their continuing commitment to peace, unity and stability.

“It has been a misunderstanding that the Veterans are taking over to force the Panguna Mine operations. The veterans must instead be understood as partners in this process. We were the people who stood up and fought to achieve the closure of the mine, and today our role is to help ensure that any future redevelopment is undertaken through a peaceful, all-inclusive redevelopment process.

“As veterans, we see ourselves as advocates for Peace, Unity and Stability. We want to contribute to a process that respects our customary landowners, honours those who were affected and lost their lives during the conflict, and ensures that the redevelopment of Panguna proceeds in a peaceful, inclusive and culturally respectful manner.”

The Department of Veterans Affairs emphasises that the reference to the “release of the land and the mine pit” is purely a customary and spiritual concept. It does not mean that customary land ownership is being surrendered, transferred, sold or diminished in any way.

The ritual does not affect land rights, ownership or the legal interests of customary landowners. Rather, it symbolises the release of the spiritual and emotional burdens associated with the Bougainville conflict, allowing the land and its people to move forward in peace.

By performing these rites, it is anticipated that the ritual will help anchor the future redevelopment of the mine in a foundation of peace, unity and cultural legitimacy.

The need for the ritual was identified following repeated concerns raised by landowner participants, particularly women, during successive consultation engagements. These participants expressed that the mine remains under a “curse of blood” from the conflict and emphasised the need to customarily honour those killed by various factions during the occupation of the Panguna area.

The activity is further inspired by traditional principles of love, respect and peace that have guided Bougainvillean reconciliation for generations.

The two-day event will proceed as follows:

• Day 1 – Monday, 10 August: Rituals will be conducted by veterans and landowners along the Port Mine Access Road, from Morgan to the tailings area. This phase will involve customary blood cleansing at known sites of killings and a specific cleansing ritual for surviving veterans who participated in the battles.
• Day 2 – Tuesday, 11 August: The main event will take place at the Panguna Mine Site (Domangtampo). The programme will include official welcome speeches by leaders and the presentation of customary items to the families of fallen victims.

The presentation of customary items during the ceremony should not be interpreted as compensation or settlement for the loss of lives, land or any claims arising from the Bougainville conflict or the Panguna Mine. The customary presentations are traditional expressions of respect, remembrance, reconciliation and healing for the families of those who lost their lives.

Participants will include landowners from the EL01 tenement area, families of fallen veterans and civilians, surviving veterans from across the region, clan leaders, church pastors and leaders from the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).

The Ioro Veterans Association, supported by the Central Veterans Association and the ABG Department and Ministry of Veterans Affairs, leads the coordination of the Erengdu’ ritual to ensure traditional protocols and veteran perspectives remain central to the Panguna redevelopment process.

 

Photo: Preparations underway at the Panguna ritual site ahead of the Erengdu’ “Blood Cleansing” Ritual.

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