Bernard Narakobi and the Melanesian Way: A Beacon for PNG and Melanesia

 In the lush and lavish landscape of Papua New Guinea’s cultural heritage, Bernard Narokobi stands as a leading light—a flagbearer for the Melanesian Way. Something I support and hold very dear. His vision transcends mere diplomacy; it weaves together tradition, identity, oneness, and resilience. I have always wanted to write about this great man who gracefully defended true Melanesian ways, much of it, through his writings but I always assumed any writing I did of him or that of his work would fail to give justice to his greatness – for people like myself, who are traditionalist and love writing, Bernard Narakobi stands at the top, in PNG alone, very few people can fill his shoes.    

Narokobi’s seminal work, “The Melanesian Way,” resonates like a kundu drum across the islands of the Pacific. At a time when the waves of foreign influence or globalization were knocking on the stairs of Melanesia, questioning our values and misinterpreting our way of life – Bernard defending our ways, more than that, we celebrate and reminds us that we have always been civilized people with our systems and structures – surely, he did not argue that we were a model society for all but our ways were ours and it worked for us – The Melanesian Ways.  

The Melanesian Way celebrates communal bonds, reciprocity, and the interconnectedness of all life. Imagine a village gathering—the elders sharing stories, the young practicing dances, and the spirits of ancestors whispering through the leaves of the Kapiyak trees. The Melanesian Way isn’t a mere policy; it’s a living, breathing ethos.

Narokobi’s genius lies in bridging ancient wisdom with contemporary challenges. He recognized that Melanesian societies had thrived for millennia through consensus building, conflict resolution, and kinship ties. In the global arena, where treaties and power dynamics clash, Narokobi urged PNG to embrace its cultural roots. Imagine him at the UN Conference, arrayed with bilums and beautiful parrot feathers, advocating for “taro diplomacy” and “shell money treaties.” The world blinked, but perhaps it needed a dose of coconut oil diplomacy. It was complicated to make the early white men understand our ways, this was the kind of road Bernard often walked.

On September 16^th, 1975, as PNG gained independence, it birthed its first foreign policy. Picture the drafting room—a mix of bureaucrats, tribal leaders, and Narokobi himself. Their document was part policy, part seashell vision. It emphasized regional solidarity, respect for sovereignty, and the sacredness of land. But critics ridiculed it. “Where are the nuclear deterrence clauses?” they asked. “Are you going to defend us with your coconuts Bernard?” Narokobi smiled, knowing that the Melanesian Way was a shield forged from woven pandanus leaves, not steel. “What do you fear so much, we are one Melanesia, we do not need to protect ourselves from our brothers. We stand with them. We quarrel, we fight, we talk back but we always protect each other?”, Bernard replied.  

Fast-forward to today. PNG revisits its foreign policy and Narokobi’s spirit hovers. The updated version reads like a blend of ancient chants and Wi-Fi passwords:

“Yam-merce”: PNG offers yams to neighboring nations, fostering goodwill. The Australians raise an eyebrow. “Can we pay in Vegemite?”
Bernard urges us to build strong alliances first with our Melanesian brothers. Our true connection, if we harvest yam, we trade it with our brothers for fish or pig meat.

“Spiritual Alliances”: Diplomats invoke rain gods during climate negotiations. The Europeans clap. “Ingenious! Can you also summon a carbon-neutral unicorn?”
Bernard reminds us further that some of the answers to our problems or the worlds can be found by looking back to our culture, refining traditional practices, and using them to address issues the way we know how to. The bouncy kangaroo will never be like a crafty Crocodile.
 

“Coconut Forts”: PNG’s Defence Force unveils a coconut catapult. The Americans send over a manual: “How to Aim Coconuts at Cyber Threats.” Lastly, he reminds us that Melanesians have survived the worst of Mother Nature, we faced great seas without a compass to arrive in our present lands. We travelled for miles through majestic mountains that still stand to tell the tales. Do not be compelled and worked up about the world’s affairs – look within, and find our true strength.

The Melanesian Way lives on in the corridors of power and PNG’s globalization, and being a true Melanesian, Narokobi’s legacy endures. His Melanesian Way isn’t a relic; it’s a compass. As PNG navigates cyber treaties, mineral rights, and digital sovereignty, it whispers, “Remember the betel nut exchanges, the kundu rhythms, and the sacred taboos.” And perhaps, just perhaps, in the quiet moments, diplomats pause, close their laptops, and listen—to the rustle of palm fronds and the echoes of timeless truth. “Always represent your true Melanesia,” They whisper. The values of our land and labour of our fathers before – for they look on, watching you always. Protecting and preparing you for a greater Melanesia to come!