Tribute To Aunty Rakos

1.         Aunty Rakos loved children
Children, she cared for
Children, she raised
Children, she provided for
Children, she disciplined
Her sense of humour entertaining
Nice things of others she spoke.

2.         Funeral ceremony
Father’s clan relatives
Them Baby bath and dress
Perfume herbs and leaves
Her body they lay in coffin
For mourning village to view
Co-hosting funeral reception
Bidding their child farewell.

3.                 Journey to Spirit Kingdom
“Oh! Oh! Oh!”
Rakos, Rakos, Rakos
Here, your food knapsack
Carry your back with you
Share your spirit ancestors with
Who await your arrival
Here, your water bottle
Quench your thirst
Journey long and lonely
And Beware!
Two tracks you meet at crossroad
First path, clean and spotless . . .
Follow  not this path
Second path, rough and bushy . . .
This path you must flow.
From Bitaha plateau leap to Hagum!
From Hagum leap to Bei
From Bei leap to Hois
There your spirit ancestors
Welcome you they,
To Spirit Kingdom.”

4.                 On The Third Day - (Hatsinleahana)
. . . Recited over small bonfire
“Oh Rakos!
You and your clan members”
And too, chiefs of your father’s clan
Come you all, eat with us
Share this sacrifice we give thee.
Before you go to Murkohongo,  your God and our God.
That is all for now . . eat you all first and leave the
Leftovers to us.

Sung:   Have pity on me, my sister
You, who has left us
Look at us here.
Have pity on us my mothers
You, who has left us
See us here
Have pity on us fathers
You, who has left us
See us all here.

5.                  Feast - ten or twenty days later -
Pandanus veil face conceal
Mourning relatives exit
Taro slicing to grave
Period of sorrow ending
Mourning costumes discard
Swim in sea, body clean
Village feast they to host
Money, pig and food|
Rakos’s fathers to get.
Chiefs and relatives
All gather,
Seven pigs slaughtered,
Distributed to all.
Smiles here
Laughter everywhere
Rakos has ascended to heaven.

Our traditional beliefs conform with that of the Bible and the old Testament. We believe there is a Heaven and as Jesus Christ rose from death after three days and ascended into Heaven after 40 days, our funeral ceremonies were in agreement with Christian teachings

Bitaha Plateua           At Binasoa, Lemankoa Buka
Hagum                      At Opaha, Lontis Buka
Hois                           a place in Hahon (North West Bougainville)
Hatsinleahana           The third day of the deceased after burial
Murkuhongo              God