We visited the small Ahioma village of Dodobana in Mile Bay with our 7 Kidsetter in tow. Just 7km (approximately 15 minutes drive) from the main town of Alotau, passing numerous traditional village hamlets, we stepped into another world and were welcomed into the home of a typical Milne Bay family and experienced the true meaning of Melanesian hospitality and the Milne Bay way of life. We were greeted by the chief of the Ahoima tribe along with his mother.
They demonstrated a host of traditional family activities including traditional weaving techniques used for baskets and accessories, Grass skirt (Magololo) making. betelnut chewing customs.
We walked through a traditional garden and learnt the importance of being a good gardener with a local guide, observed traditional claypot cooking over fire, the way their ancestors have been cooking for centuries. The chief shared many mystical and fascinating stories of the land. We were led into a sparse area of land and asked to sit. A cultural performance unfolded that our Kidsetter and I will never forget. Children and women were surrounded by boys and men with spears whom were singing, chanting and dancing. The meaning of this spectacle demonstrated how they protect their women and children from any potential harm. Our Kidsetter and I jumped exceptionally high off the ground when one of the men raced at us yelling with his spear pointed at us. Thankfully cannibalism apparently ceased in the 1970’s.
Next, we took a short drive to the small seaside village of Gehi Gehi and learnt the traditional and modern ways of catching fish, smoking fish without a smokehouse and watched the local kids swim in the warm tropical waters. We enjoyed various demonstrations of the many uses of the coconut palm in every day village life.
Our Kidsetter relished swinging on a nearby handmade swing attached to a tree whilst interacting with the local kids.
Alotau mean’s ‘Beautiful Bay’ in the Suau language. I think it should mean ‘Beautiful People’. Your Kidsetter will thrive in this astonishing land.
