Today, the Lani Singers performed at the Origin Festival of First Nations in London along with other indigenous artists such as our Melanesian brothers Mau Power and the Zugubal Dancers from the Torres Strait Islands.
We also presented them with the West Papuan national flag, the Morning Star to carry the message back to the Torres Strait.
The event was a success and we felt warmly received by the audience and festival organisers. We performed several traditional West Papuan songs, connecting the audience to the spirit of the West Papuan ancestors and the freedom struggle.
A lot of awareness, support and sympathy for the cause was raised and we feel that a strong connection was made between the West Papuan people and other indigenous people around the world.
Origins are an extremely important part of the West Papuan freedom struggle as the Melanesian identity must remain strong in West Papua despite Indonesia trying to “Indonesianize” the people. West Papua will continue to stay strong with the origins of the struggle for freedom.
The Lani Singes will continue to express this freedom struggle and push it forward with the songs and spirits of the West Papuan ancestors.
Watch photoalbum here.
