ABOUT KOARE SUB-DISTRICT

Brief Traditional History

Koare was inhabited by the different clan groupings for less than some 40 000 years back (approx). This is in line with the first recorded human settlement in the highlands of New Guinea. The human presence in Papua New Guinea (PNG) dates back at least 40,000 years to the oldest human migrations out of Africa. Research indicates that the highlands were an early and independent center of agriculture, with evidence of irrigation going back at least 10,000 years. Given the time depth of its inhabitation and its highly fractured landscape, an unusually high number of languages are spoken in PNG, with some 1,000 tongues (a figure higher than that of most continents) having been catalogued out of an estimated world-wide pre-Columbian total of 6,000 human dialects. Most are classified as Papuan languages, a generally accepted geographical term which a minority of authors hold to be a genetic one. That means the Kewabi language, which is the mother tongue of Koare people is widely spoken and is one of the major languages in SHP. It has quite a few number of dialects which covers Koare valley, Erave, Kagua, Ialibu, Pangia, Mendi and Poroma/Nipa districts.

There is no current written record (if any, I am not aware at this stage) to show exactly when humans first entered the Koare valley. According to narratives, over the years our traditional fore fathers lived a traditional and nomadic life style. However, the notion of nomadic life style is somewhat contentious because the narratives indicate that our fore fathers already settled in what they called "established villages" according to their clan or tribal groupings. They also had well advanced agricultural techniques as food production was part of their traditional lifestyle.

People from Koare have been living mainly in villages (are still living to this day). The formation of the villages was primarily influenced by their social, clan and tribal groupings and connections. During the traditional times, the different tribes fought one another for different array of reasons. For example, as pay back for wrong being done, to gain popularity and simply out of jealousy to attain another clan's land and/or property. Tribal alliances was a major component to reach victory, eventual settlement and survival. According to the narratives, tribal warfare was an everyday activity and due to tribal warfare people lived a nomadic lifestyle; meaning they moved from one village to another in search of security or to settle in the newly acquired land. Traditional life style in Koare was one of tribal warfare, nomadic disposition and the promotion of customary rituals once settled such a pig killing to celebrate an event or an achievement in a certain locality, and what eventually became villages. Tribal cohesion and connectedness played a major role in the tribe's/clan's continual survival and existence over the years.  

First Contact with Outside World (White-men).

According to recorded history (PNG History Microfiche Location), Koare was not discovered by the white-men until between the 1920s and 1930s (we need exact date of outside contact). Even in the 1950s the people from Koare were still living a traditional, tribal warfare, nomadic life style until when the first white-men came into the area and patrol posts established. The early Patrol Post records show that the firs white-men must have patrolled Koare between 1920s – 1930s. The first recorded patrol post was done by Patrol Officers Jinks B and Weame J.M. (1958 – 1959) with the support of carriers and para-police personnel. The so-called Luluwais and Tultuls were part of this historic mission. One of those known Tultuls was Mr. Kepu Oganda of the Kuri clan who now lives in Karapere village in Koare. He was chosen with others to help the patrol officers for the primary purpose of maintaining law and order. Special powers were vested on the Luluwais and Tutuls to obey, arrest and prosecute people. The use of corporal punish was a major deterrent tool used during those days to instill good behavior and submission.

Below are some of the major and historical Patrol Posts established by the colonial Australian Government. The first outside contact occurred between the 1920s and 1930s. However, Koare only got exposed to the outside world in the late 1950s with the establishment of permanent patrol posts.

Kagua, 1957 - 1958.
Patrol officers: Butler, D. N.; Andrews, R. J.; Jinks, B.
76 leaves. 5 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kagua Valley,Kwari,Iaro Valley,Sugu,Ialibu,Para River,Sumi Valley.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 001 : 001 : 002 : 018.

Kagua, 1958 - 1959.
Patrol officers: Jinks, B.; Wearne, J. M.
117 leaves. 4 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kuare Valley,Iaro River,Sugu River,Erave River, Kari,Tiburu Valley,Iaro Valley,Kagua Valley,Para Valley.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 002 : 019 : 004 : 015.

Kagua, 1959 - 1960.Patrol officers: Wearne, J. M.; White, C. D.; Butler, D. N.; Fairhall, R. T.; Lucas, N. D.; Jensen-Muir, G. P.
199 leaves. 7 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Akura River,Angua River,Kuare,Wabi-Uma,Mambu, Sugu.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 004 : 016 : 007 : 046.

Kagua, 1960 - 1961.Patrol officers: Kelly, R. J.; Jensen-Muir, G. P.
167 leaves. 10 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kuare,Sugu,Amia Creek.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 007 : 047 : 010 : 034.

Kagua, 1961 - 1962.Patrol officers: Kelly, R. J.; Jensen-Muir, G. P.
154 leaves. 7 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kutubu Lake,Nembi,Amia,Erave,Wage,Mubi,Mambu, Kewabi,Ancura River,Sugu,Kerabi.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 010 : 035 : 013 : 007.

Kagua, 1962 - 1963.Patrol officers: McDonald, W.; Thomas, P. J.; Dangerfield, C. P.; Cornhill, M. C.
154 leaves. 15 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kuare,Mendi,Ialibu,Paris,Sugu,Mendi,Ankura River,Kutubu Lake.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 013 : 008 : 015 : 044.

Kagua, 1963 - 1964.Patrol officers: Cornhill, M. C.; Dangerfield, C. P.; Sisley, P. N.; Cassidy, P. J.; Mancey, C.; Keen, B. J.
141 leaves. 13 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Wabi Mission,Wasuma Village,Sumi Road,Taguanda Village,Mendi,Tumbarere,Kaware,Twalamara,Sugu,Kuare.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 015 : 045 : 018 : 005.

Kagua, 1964 - 1965.Patrol officers: Kneen, B. J.; Mancey, C.; Wells, M. J.; Gleeson, R. t.
122 leaves. 11 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Magura,Mendi,Kuare,Waima,Kandora,Sumi.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 018 : 006 : 020 : 009.

Kagua, 1965 - 1966.Patrol officers: Day, C. G.; Ridgway, R. K.; Gleeson, R. T.; Eggleton, M.
96 leaves. 6 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kagua,Sugu,Kuare.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 020 : 010 : 021 : 046.

Kagua, 1966 - 1967.Patrol officers: Ridgway, R. K.
36 leaves. 1 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kewari,Ialibu.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 021 : 047 : 022 : 023.

Kagua, 1967 - 1968.Patrol officers: Williams, B. M.
37 leaves. 3 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Sugu.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 022 : 024 : 023 : 002.

Kagua, 1968 - 1969.Patrol officers: Williams, B. McL; Kelly, J. P.; Davies, M. P.; Spence, N. J.; Cavanagh, N. J.
181 leaves. 13 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kagua,Sugu,Kuare.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 023 : 003 : 026 : 017.

Kagua, 1969 - 1970.Patrol officers: Heuston, T. J. A.; Davies, M. P.; Gumasa, A.; Spence, N. J.; Reading, J. M.; McNeil, A. F.; Ryan, N. J.
243 leaves. 14 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kari-Tiburu,Kagua,Sugu,Kuare,Kandoba,Mabuanda.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 026 : 018 : 030 : 026.

Kagua, 1970 - 1971.Patrol officers: Creagh, R. B.; Ryan, N. J.; Goldthorp, D. M.; Gabi, F. N.
196 leaves. 16 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kagua,Mendi,Kuare,Sugu,Kari-Tiberu,Kandoba, Imani,Usa,Uma,Lagira,Kandoha,Mungoro,Yagure,Tumbarere,Tomgoma, Kuare,Ita,Kuare Lombo.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 030 : 027 : 033 : 057.

Kagua, 1971 - 1972.Patrol officers: Gabi, F. N.; Cox, R. A.; Creagh, R. B.; Overland, C. A.; Spence, N. J.; Press, R. M.; Warrillow, C.
228 leaves. 20 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kagua,Sugu,Kuare,Kari Tiburu,Karanda,Koia.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 033 : 058 : 037 : 047.

Kagua, 1972 - 1973.Patrol officers: Warrillow, C.; Cox, R. A.; Payler, B. D.; Young, C. A.; Montague, J. P.; Heuston, T. J. A.
118 leaves. 31 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Kuare,Kagua,Sugu,Kari-Tiburu.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 037 : 048 : 039 : 049.

Kagua, 1973 - 1974.Patrol officers: Young, C. A.; Cox, R. A.; Terina, M.; Na'awi, T. B.; Poa, R. W.; Dalma, J. N. L.
58 leaves. 14 patrol records.
Areas patrolled: Fourmil Kutubu,Milinch Erave,Kari-Tiburu,Kuare, Kerabi,Tsimberigi,Sugu,Mendo.
Microfiche location: Southern Highlands : Kagua : 039 : 050 : 040 : 051.

Different Clans and Villages in Koare (Current 2011).

1. Kuri clan live in three main villages that include the following: Kilipimi, Kaluake and Karapere.
2. Marepa clan live in two villages: Kolopi and Lepirini
3. Ekerepa clan live in two villages: Rindane and Tangoloma.
4. Mandiripa clan live in several villages: Kaimare, Kusayo, Koare station, Poreanda and Waluanda.
5. Eparepa clan live in Mungiri village.
6. Kuwi village is composed of three major clans called Pasa, Sau and Rungita clans.
7. Yaki and Kalapo clans live in Ata, Kupia, Yawireanda and Kolere villages. The people from Kusa village are also called Yaki as they come from the same clan.
8. Amburepa clan live in Lapongo village. There are several clans that make up Lapongo village but I can't name them at this stage as I don't know their specific names.
9. There are other clans that live in Kalawira, Yango, Epabini, Rakunapi and Karanda villages which is part of Kagua/Erave electorate. However, they are part of Koare sub-district.

Contemporary Social Groupings in Koare.

The people of Koare have recently developed contemporary conceptual boundaries as a distinct means of categorization and grouping of the different clans/tribes. Political agenda, recognition and gain are major driving forces towards the development of such groupings. For instance, the people who come from Waluanda and Kusa villages towards Lapongo village, regardless of their origins of tribal or clan groupings, they currently go by the name "Angakera", which means they are people who produce the pandanus nuts (pandanus tectorius). Their basic intention is to fall under one umbrella grouping for unity, team building and social cohesiveness and in so doing it gives them greater leverage, upper-hand, and higher chances for lobbying. This gives them higher social standing and status in the society. This same principle is advocated by the different clans that live between Lemako river and Lepirini village and they go by the name "Ipa Lekamako Rombo". It simply means people from the boarder of river Lemako. Other similar groupings also exist such as "Ipa Una Rombo", which refers to people who come from Karapere village to Una river. These are contemporary social groupings for the purposes of lobbying, status and recognition.