Sparks are brewing on social media as a viral video creates a whirlwind of debate around Papua New Guinea and its vast linguistic landscape. The center of the storm is a reel uploaded by global influencer Yuji Beleza, who, during his travels in Japan, crossed paths with Papua New Guinean, Joseph Baki Koare.
As is the nature of Yuji’s content, he asked Koare to say something in his native language so Yuji could try to guess its origin. Koare warned Yuji that it might be a difficult guess, but proceeded to give it a try.
“Rabirabi namona,” Koare answered. A greeting that means “goodnight” in the Roro language of the Kairuku District in Central Province.
This simple exchange has blown up the internet, with many Papua New Guineans sharing conflicting opinions. A large segment of the audience argued that Koare’s response did not represent the “main” language of the country, suggesting he should have spoken in Tok Pisin, the most widely used vernacular in Papua New Guinea.
Others, however, stood by Koare. They pointed out that as a man hailing from Kairuku, a district in the Central Province, he was perfectly correct to answer in the Roro dialect. This highlights a crucial distinction: while Tok Pisin serves as the national lingua franca, it is not an indigenous language in the same way Roro is. Tok Pisin is the bridge that connects us, but languages like Roro are the ancient, rooted identity of the people and the land itself.
Diversity as a Strength, Not a Conflict
This debate is, in many ways, nonsensical. Papua New Guinea is the most linguistically diverse nation on earth, boasting over 860 distinct languages. The argument over which language “best” represents the country ignores the very fact that defines us.
One single language cannot be the defining tongue of Papua New Guinea because our 1,000+ tribes are built on the foundation of 860+ different ways of speaking.
This viral moment serves as a call to action for the people of Papua New Guinea. Rather than disputing which language is ‘official’ enough, the nation should celebrate this as a victory for all 860+ voices on the global stage. True national identity is found in honoring every local dialect and recognizing that our beauty lies in our complexity, not in a forced uniformity.
Beyond Words: The Greeting Controversy
It wasn’t just the words spoken that sparked fire; the physical interaction itself was put under the microscope. Another point of contention was the greeting Koare displayed, a respectful act where two people gently bump their heads together.
Critics online were quick to claim this was a “copied” design, resembling the Hongi of the Māori culture. But these claims are largely uninformed. This form of greeting is a traditional practice in the Kairuku culture of the Central Province, as well as several cultures in the Gulf Province.
Rather than a “copy,” this should be viewed as a testament to the deep cultural ties among Pacific nations. While we are geographically spread across the ocean, we share deep ancestral roots and a Pacific history that naturally results in cultural similarities.
A Call for Cultural Education
Instead of dividing ourselves through debate, this viral moment should be viewed as an opportunity to learn. It is a reminder that as a people coming from such a diverse background, more education is needed regarding our own neighbors’ customs.
While schools host annual cultural shows and traditional dances are showcased every September 16th for Independence Day, we must ask: Is this enough?
Is enough being done to preserve our specific dialects and traditions, or is the country falling prey to the homogenizing influence of the Western world? When we favor a “standard” identity over our tribal roots, we risk losing the very things that make us unique. One fact remains: when a people forget their specific cultures and traditions, they risk losing themselves to history.