Pana Numera

We headed to Pana Numera where there is a fund raiser for a new school with traditional dancing, basket weaving and carvings and other things on the 14th. The sail here wasn’t to bad the wind was head on only for a while and we managed to plod along in the lee on the islands a bit. We dropped anchor at 4.15pm we dropped in deep water again because everything we had read said that there are bommies which come up quite quickly and after the mess we found ourselves in at the last place we would rather pull in extra chain.

We were surprised that no canoes came up this morning it gave us a chance to get stuck into some serious cleaning up. We had been told that there was going to be a bit of a market there to raise money also. We went ashore for a walk along the beach. We stayed on the beach for a while just sitting around and relaxing. Amy couldn’t help herself she was in the water before we knew it swimming around. We ended up going for a walk along the rocks which lead to another beach this is amazing this place a lovely beach and crystal clear water we planned on going for a swim in the afternoon.

Ian and Daniel in beautiful Pana Numera.

We were collecting shells along the way when we met 3 women who had been collecting things from their gardens and were now taking the husks off green coconuts they gave us a couple which was really nice we drank one while we were talking to them. We continued walking further along and when we turned around we were greeted by 4 girls. They said that they were 10 years old only one girl Mary could really speak English. They couldn’t get enough of Amy they were picking her up and carrying her. They were laughing and holding hands with Kathleen and Amy as Amy got a bit shy and didn’t want to be carried. When we got back to the dingy there was a heap of kids and Jan one of the local women. The kids ended up taking us for a walk over the island which only took about 15 minutes where there was some great rock formations.

The day of the fundraiser arrived and what a great day it was. It started with tradional dancing the kids and a few of the younger man had put on which was great introduction before the formal welcome. Where the women came to us and put flowers around our necks and in our hair to welcome us to their village.

Us after we had been welcomed to the village.

The dances are interpertive of things that happen in life from red ants in trees to hunting and fishing this was amazing to watch. Then the older men and women sung and danced some of their traditional songs. They sung in another language other than Misima language so the people we asked what the dance and song were about couldn’t tell us but it was still fun to watch. The dancing went for around an hour and a half and we were made to feel really welcomed. We were having a great time sitting back and watching what was happening. All up there was 8 boats that turned up to support the school which was a good turn out.

One of the dances that was performed for us.

Then the village people put on a light lunch for us of paw paw, banana’s, passionfruit, pumpkin scones, watermelon, and coconuts we had been told that this was happening and everyone on the boats was taking something to share. We ate in the church but only the Dim Dims went in which was a bit of a shame.

Then the festivities continued with rides in the sailing canoe we went in the second group. Which was great fun they move really fast. To tack is a huge effort where one person has to get into the water while one manually turns the boom by running along the side of the canoe. One person was continually bailing all the water that was running in from the bow of the boat like a small stream. The canoes tip frequently so I wasn’t game enough to take my camera but I wish I had as it was amazing to see how it is sailed. It takes 5 men to tack and one man stands on the back and has a huge paddle which is the rudder sometimes they have another rudder in the water held by another man. It would be hard work as it didn’t take long for them to work up a sweat. We had to watch out for our heads when they tacked as it would be easy for the boom to hit you in the head. The sail is made out of a tarp not canvas and is all hand sewn into the right shape.

The sailing canoe that we went out on.

While we were waiting for our ride in the canoe there was a race with the men to see who could get a fire started using 2 sticks together. It only took the men 10-15 seconds to get the shavings smoldering ready to light a fire which is done by tipping the smoldering ash into a dry coconut husk then blowing on it. They were only racing to get the smoldering happening. Ian, Michael and Daniel all had a go at doing it but none of them coud start it.

Michael and Daniel trying to start a fire with everyone watching.

One of the last things that we got to see was basket making one lady was making a yam basket while the men were once again racing to make a basket from coconut fronds. Even this didn’t take them long.Then we were treated to a feed of local food pork, yams, potatoes and baked fish. This was really tasty and everyone enjoyed it even the kids. Then a speech was given and the yachties were given a big thank you for the support given. We had bought things that were for sale baggy Daniel bought one and Kathleen bought Michael one for his birthday which she gave him early. We also bought a basket and some fruit and vegies. Everyone put in for the canoe rides and for the food as a donation which is going to a good cause. This is the only fund raising they do and when we asked the following day they did much better than had been hoped they raised over 500kina. All the boats gave donations of books, pencils and alike for the school as well.