BOUGAINVILLE Veterans will be performing a traditional customary ritual as a blood cleansing ceremony, forming a critical part of the reconciliation and peacebuilding process towards the redevelopment of Panguna mine.
Set to occur on the 10th and 11th of August 2026, the customary ritual, called ‘Erengdu’ is considered an essential process for the sustainable redevelopment of the Panguna gold and copper mine.
The two-day event programme will proceed as follows:
• Day 1 – Monday, 10 August: Rituals will be conducted by veterans and landowners along the Port Mine Access Road, from Morgan to the tailings area. This phase will involve customary blood cleansing at known sites of killings and a specific cleansing ritual for surviving veterans who participated in the battles.
• Day 2 – Tuesday, 11 August: The main event will take place at the Panguna Mine Site (Domangtampo).
The programme will include official welcome speeches by leaders and the presentation of customary items to the families of fallen victims. Bougainville Government’s Minister for Veterans Affairs, Linus Dake Junior, said the role of veterans in the process had been misunderstood, particularly the perception that veterans were seeking to take over or force the resumption of Panguna Mine operations.
“As veterans, we see ourselves as advocates for peace, unity and stability. We want to contribute to a process that respects our customary landowners, honours those who were affected and lost their lives during the conflict and ensures that the redevelopment of Panguna proceeds in a peaceful, inclusive and culturally respectful manner,” said Dake Junior.
The ritual serves as a spiritual decommissioning and reconciliation ceremony.
It will be led by Veterans from the Ioro Veterans Association, Central Veterans Association and community leaders.
Veterans Affairs Minister, Dake Junior said the primary objectives are to release the land, the mine pit and the people from past oaths and blood burdens invoked during the Bougainville conflict, while providing psychological and spiritual freedom for veterans, landowners and families.
“It will be conducted under the theme of ‘Honouring their Sacrifice and Renewing our Resolve to Securing our Sovereignty’, said Minister Dake.
He said veterans should instead be recognized as partners in the process, drawing on their historical role in the struggle for the closure of the mine and their continuing commitment to peace, unity and stability.
The Department of Veterans Affairs emphasizes that the reference to the “release of the land and the mine pit” is purely a customary and spiritual concept.
It does not mean that customary land ownership is being surrendered, transferred, sold or diminished in any way.
“The ritual does not affect land rights, ownership or the legal interests of customary landowners. Rather, it symbolizes the release of the spiritual and emotional burdens associated with the Bougainville conflict, allowing the land and its people to move forward in peace,” said Minister Dake.
The presentation of customary items during the ceremony should not be interpreted as compensation or settlement for the loss of lives, land or any claims arising from the Bougainville conflict or the Panguna Mine.
The customary presentations are traditional expressions of respect, remembrance, reconciliation and healing for the families of those who lost their lives.
Participants will include landowners from the EL01 tenement area, families of fallen veterans and civilians, surviving veterans from across the region, clan leaders, church pastors and leaders from the Autonomous Bougainville Government (ABG).
The Ioro Veterans Association, supported by the Central Veterans Association and the ABG Department and Ministry of Veterans Affairs, will lead the coordination of the ‘Erengdu’ ritual to ensure traditional protocols and veteran perspectives remain central to the Panguna redevelopment process.
