Drone footage captured an aerial view of the bicentenary celebration at the Temple site, featuring a traditional dance from the local community.
Papua New Guinea
Stories of Celebrations
In Papua New Guinea, one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse nations in the world, celebrations marking the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá'u'lláh were characterised by a spirit of love and inclusiveness across a wide array of settings from moutains, to rainforests, to dense urban centres.
Broadcast of bicentenary celebrations at the Temple Site in Port Moresby
Celebrations at the site of the future House of Worship
Communities gathered at the site in Port Moresby where the national House of Worship is to be constructed.
Bicentenary celebrations in Daga, Papua New Guinea
The bicentenary inspired many acts of service throughout Papua New Guinea. One story of a couple in the Rigo region of the country is particularly touching.
Mr. Arimi Bebeni and Mrs. Enao Bebeni planted a hectare of rice and harvested their crops just before the bicentenary of the birth of Bahá’u’lláh. The couple are Bahá’ís who moved from the Rigo region of central Papua New Guinea northwest to the Gogodala area in 2000 to support community building endeavors. The Bebenis decided to plant the rice this year in preparation for the bicentenary. Thinking about the principle of the oneness of humanity and hoping to contribute to the development of their community, Mr. and Mrs. Bebeni, along with their 9 family members, grew nearly 70 kilograms of rice.
Having now harvested their crops, they hope to see the result of their sacrificial efforts to help Gogodala progress by the next bicentenary, the 200th anniversary of the birth of the Báb in 2019.
Preparations for the bicentenary in Papua New Guinea
Across Papua New Guinea, communities have been preparing for the bicentenary celebrations by practicing songs, traditional dances, and holding gatherings for prayer.
Bicentenary banners
From Waigani near the capital city Port Moresby to Kokopo near Rabul, youth prepared banners for the bicentenary celebrations.
Celebrations across the island
A glimpse into preparations for the bicentenary celebrations across Papua New Guinea