Week 2 Part 2: Tumbuna Singsing (tranditional dancing/celebration)

-
Since our arrival in the village of Wargiden our Host Papa had been telling us that he’d have the ladies of the village teach us the village’s traditional dances so that we could have a Tumbuna Singsing (a traditional celebration and dance) before we left. True to his word, Papa summoned us to his veranda facing the sea. We arrived to find the ladies of the village talking in excited whispers as a few men of the village thumped experimentally on their kundu (drums) to ensure they were in tune.

dancing with our village family
Tumbuna Singsing style
Soon, April and I had been guided into one of two lines to stand behind one of our host sisters or cousins to learn the steps of the traditional dances. Flowers were pressed into our hands and the ladies quieted down, waiting for the drums to begin. Thump, thump, thump. The drums began to pound as the men sang out strong in the captivating and ancient sounding strains of Wargiden’s traditional song. April and I did our best to follow the rhythmic flurry of steps the ladies of the village glided through effortlessly. We all laughed as we went the wrong way or finally succeeded. It was a delight to be so involved in something so dear to our village. These dances have been part of the identity of this village and Papua New Guinea for time out of mind, and it felt like I had stepped into the deep river of tradition and antiquity as I wove in an out of the intricate dances with the ladies.
After over an hour of dancing the sun was close to setting and all of us were breathless and happy. We practiced several times before our goodbye dinner and had the Tumbuna Singsing the day before we left (look for a post on this in several weeks). This was a really special way of learning more about our village, its traditions, history and people, and it was a great way that we all were able to bond and build friendship.



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Psalm 121: "He's not breathing! Please come now!"

-
Image
  This story was shared with permission from the patient and family “He’s not breathing! Please come now!” The voice on the other end of the line was tense, close to panicked. “I’m coming now.” I replied. I hung up the phone and ran out the door. I drove across the center, praying urgently for God’s wisdom and help. My car rattled to a stop at the end of the driveway and I could see people standing near the door. I jumped out of my car and ran up the drive and into the house. The patient was in the throes of a severe seizure and was surrounded by scared and desperate friends. My eyes took in the situation and my mind clicked over into assessment mode: watching his chest, feeling for pulse, checking for responses from the patient. Within two minutes it was clear the seizure was not going to stop. “We need to get him to the clinic in my car.” I said. One of my friends grabbed my keys to open the doors of my car, and several strong guys came and picked up the patient. I guided them ou...
Read more

Megan & The Master: A God Who Speaks Their Language

-
Image
Many people have asked me about my Wycliffe ministry, how I ended up working with Wycliffe, and what I'm doing in Papua New Guinea. So, per your requests, I've put together a video to share about what I do and to answer some of your questions. This video will give you a little bit of a window into my Wycliffe ministry to the people of Papua New Guinea and why I'm passionate about people having access to God's Word in a language that speaks to their heart. Please feel free to share this video with friends, and don't hesitate to contact me via my Wycliffe Ministry Page: https://www.wycliffe.org/partner/3DF2D8 Or connect with me via my blog: https://www.purposeasia.blogspot.com I would love for you to join my team!
Read more

The Glorious Everyday

-
Image
A double rainbow that caught our attention "The heavens declare the glory of God;  the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world."                                                                                                Psalm 19:1-4a NIV    A soft breeze wafts through the window of my office. I can hear kids jumping on a trampoline next door and the bustle of the end of the work day as people head home. The smell of fresh grass and light rain and sweet wood smo...
Read more