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Namugha to host 3rd Makira Banana Festival in 2017

NAMUGHA STATION on East Makira will be the next host of the popular De Makira Banana Festival in June 2017.

The De Makira Banana Festival is hosted annually since 2014. But this year, the festival will not be hosted as a full review of the hosting, the financial sponsorship arrangement and structure of the festival will be looked into finalization of the legal status of the Association and the Banana Festival foundation.

Chairman of Tourism Makira Islands, Noel Daley Mamau confirmed this to Island Sun after a successful visit to Namugha station this week.

He said the reason for the festival shift to the Eastern Region of Makira Province is to ensure participation from the people of the regions of Star Harbour, Santa Ana, Santa Catalina, Wainoni and Rawo areas.

Mr Mamau stressed that with the great opportunity, people from the area will also benefit from a tourism industry awareness programme that will take place.

He pointed out that another reason for hosting the festival in the east is because the area is seen as the tourism hub of the Makira/ Ulawa Province.

Mamau said they also took into consideration Star Habour’s status as an area rich in culture and adventure sites.

Namugha in itself is a historical location in the Solomon Islands as it the first place that Queen Elizabeth II set foot during her visit in 1974.

“One kilometer from Namugha is Naone Island, the site of the first Declaration of the British Solomon Islands Protectorate by the British Marines in 1874.

“The two sites are of paramount importance to the Solomon Islands and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, and in the near future, monuments will be built to mark the two important occasions in the country’s history,” he said.

Mr Mamau said the 3rd De Makira Banana Festival in Namugha will feature banana in fruits and varieties, banana in food and drinks, banana in traditional cooking, traditional canoe race, dug-out canoe race, spear fishing competition, fishing competition, sea food, cultural activities, local band music and women in development.






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