ABG leads Domangtampo ritual at Panguna to honour veterans and civilians
The Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG) led by the Ministry and Department of Veteran Affairs witnessed and participated in the cultural ritual of “Domangtampo” at the Panguna Mine site yesterday.
The ritual is a customary obligation of the Nasioi-speaking people performed when blood has been shed on the land. The Domangtampo ceremony was conducted to cleanse and restore the land where blood of veterans and civilians – including men, women and children from across Bougainville was shed during the crisis, particularly in and around the Panguna mine pit area.
ABG Minister for Veteran Affairs Hon. Linus Dakei Junior, described the ritual as a significant event in Bougainville’s history, saying that the sacrifices of those who lost their lives, including veterans and civilians, had contributed to Bougainville’s political journey towards independence.
“Today I pay high respect to our fallen comrades and also the civilian population who shed their blood here. Because of that contribution and sacrifice of blood, today politicak advancement through the political leadership is pursuing our aspiration for independence,” he said.
Minister Dakei further said that these ritual displays the spiritual significance and power of Panguna, adding that it is place that would play an important role in Bougainville’s economic future.
The ceremony included presentation of customary items including traditional shell money and a Bougainville flag to family members of the 109 veterans and civilians who lost their lives in and around Panguna mine pit area.
ABG President His Excellency Hon Ishmael Toroama, in his keynote address, called on the five Panguna landowner clans and families of those who lost their lives to continue working with the Government and veterans, reminding them that the government has not forgotten them.
“When government presents you with a necklace (shell money) and a Bougainville flag this afternoon, it reminds you of that responsibility of opening the Panguna Mine and that the Government will give back a token of appreciation when the time is right;that you have not been forgotten and that we appreciate the current process,” he said.
President Toroama said that the cleansing ceremony provided an opportunity to unite Bougainvilleans, acknowledge the past and recommit to work together towards our shared future.
“Today is the time to reunite lives lost, usher the reopening of Panguna Mine and all the development process as we progress into 2030 for the declaration of independence,” he said.
President Toroama called on the people of Panguna and Bougainville as a whole to have confidence in his leadership and the ABG as Bougainville continues its political journey.
“It is time for us to stand and work together. On behalf of all of us – I now bring the souls of the dead together, plus all of us standing here to work together to continue the development of Bougainville. 1st September 2027 we will declare self governance and 2030 we will declare ourselves through the Melanesian Relationship Agreement,” Toroama announced.
Families of the 109 people who lost their lives in and around Panguna were each presented with traditional shell money, a Bougainville flag, food and pigs as part of the ceremony.
Families and Bougainvilleans were also reminded that the presentation of these items should not be interpreted as a compensation or settlement for the loss of lives, land or any claims arising from the Bougainville conflict or matters associated with the Panguna Mine.
ABG Vice President and Attorney General Hon. Ezekiel Masatt, who also attended the ceremony, acknowledged the five landowner clans for working with the veterans to stage the significant cultural event.
“I thank the landowners of Panguna for coming together – you have been through a lot yet you continue to work with the Government,” he said. “I thank your leaders that despite previous injustices, people of Bougainville must move on – that is a big sacrifice.”
The ceremony was witnessed by the five landowner clans, ABG Members of Parliament, Bougainville Administration led by the Chief Secretary, Managing Director of Lloyds Metal and Energy Limited (LMEL), Managing Director of Bougainville Minerals Limited (BML), and Veterans members from North, Central and South Bougainville.
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