Tanget Means No Coal Exploration

Tanget leaves tied at the top and set on a block of coal then a bow and arrow placed over it and set

on the land indicates a taboo; a no no for coal mining on their land.

Photo: Bailal Songai

This was a sign by the people of Andimarup village in the Tangu area of Bogia two weeks ago. Witnessed by more than 100 school children, their teachers and parents, the leaders flew a banner carrying the same message saying there will be no coal exploration on their land.

They said, "we have cocoa and lots of yams. We do not need a destructive coal mining project on our land.  Our land is for growing our food!"

Three months ago in a neighboring village their young men chased some scientists out of their forests for not seeking their permission and informing them of their purpose of visit. It was only after the scientists returned with the Bogia police that the villagers learnt their reason was to collect geological samples including coal.

And more tanget leaves tied behind banner
Photo: Sasai Duaiya

In the Biam village alluvial mining is fast becoming their way of life and the finds are used to barter for chicken, rice and other necessities in their village. They have taught themselves on how to extract and trade gold locally and hope that this practice will not be disrupted by large scale mining.

There is word already of gold mining in the nearby Niapak Mine and Madang government officers have been out to talk with landowners.

Coal mining is a new thing and brings a lot of questions about their land. Already some papers including Incorporated Land Group (ILG) forms have been issued for them to sign.

In traditional PNG villages various plants are used to indicate taboo but the common ones across all cultures are the tanget and the gorgor. 

The people of Tangu are farmers. Each family makes many large gardens and at harvest time a huge thanksgiving ceremony is held to celebrate the abundance. Yam is their main crop for kastom ceremonies. Their children learn their ways through their yam culture.

The people of Andimarup demand that their taboo sign is respected and no word of coal exploration or mining on their land should be discussed anywhere without their consent.