The Treasurer of the Central Bougainville Tourism Association (CBTA), Delwin Ketsian, said the 2025 Tama Festival has the potential to become a major economic driver for Bougainville.
“We see the Tama Festival not only as a cultural celebration but as an economic driver for Bougainville tourism. With more partnerships and planning, this festival will grow even stronger in the years to come,” Ketsian said.
Held over two days from 21–22 August at Independence Oval in Arawa, the festival drew more than 3,000 attendees, including visitors from South and Central Bougainville as well as a small number of international tourists. This level of participation reflected the festival’s growing role in boosting the local economy, with cultural tourism, small business activities, and market sales contributing directly to community livelihoods.
Festival highlights included the famous Singsing Kaur competition, panpipe ensembles, the showcasing of the traditional delicacy Tama, and displays of arts and crafts. Youth groups brought innovation to the program by blending panpipe harmonies with modern instruments, while women’s groups led chant performances, bilum weaving, and food stalls, which showed how cultural activities are also tied to enterprise and income generation.
The presence of the Police Minister and Regional Member for Bougainville, Peter Tsiamalili Jnr, who is also Patron of CBTA, underscored the festival’s national significance. In closing the event, he emphasized culture as a foundation for unity and future growth.
“The Tama Festival reminds us that our strength as one people lies in our culture and unity. This event shows the world that our traditions remain the foundation of our identity and our journey together as one people,” Tsiamalili said.
The festival’s success was further attributed to strong corporate and institutional support. Sponsors included Vodafone PNG, Fincorp, Melanesian Luxury Yacht Services, Nikana Finance Limited, SP Brewery, Silent World Bulk Fuel, Bougainville Arts Culture Tourism Authority (BACTA), and the Office of the Regional Member. Their contributions highlighted the role of private sector partnerships in enabling large-scale events that stimulate tourism and commerce.
Interim CEO of BACTA, Lorena Ritsi, described the festival as a vital cultural and economic platform. “The Tama Festival is a celebration of talent, creativity, and community. It creates a space where our artistic skills, especially in culinary arts, are showcased and tested, reminding us of the richness of our culture,” she said.
Ritsi added that BACTA’s mission is to promote, preserve, and regulate cultural and tourism products in the region, putting events like the Tama Festival as key drivers of the tourism economy while keeping traditions alive.
Organizers also identified areas to strengthen the festival’s business and tourism value in the future, including earlier planning, wider youth and schools engagement, and stronger sponsor partnerships. The committee plans to expand the program to involve more regional groups and step up international promotion, with the goal of positioning the Tama Festival as a premier cultural tourism attraction for Bougainville.
By merging cultural preservation with tourism development, the Tama Festival demonstrates how heritage can drive business, create opportunities for small enterprises, and contribute to the region’s long-term economic development.
