The Pawanka Fund supports the Tara Bandu programme in three administrative posts — Zumalai, Suai and Tilomar — and Suku Labarai was the first ceremony. Its theme: "Raise up culture and promote the Tara Bandu custom in managing natural resources to reduce disaster risk for communities" — "Culture is our identity".
The customary elders (Lia Nain) of Labarai, the suco chief and the Suai Post Administrator signed the Tara Bandu regulation, which the President of the Covalima Municipal Authority approved. Municipal and national authorities then symbolically handed the prohibited items to the elders, who hung them at the Labarai boundary for the community and public to see — a sign that Tara Bandu is now in force in Suku Labarai.
Guests included a representative of the Minister of State Administration, the Director-General for Local Development Mr Virgílio da Costa, the President of the Covalima Municipal Authority Mr Miguel Armada Cardoso, a representative of the President of the Covalima CMCLN, customary elders, the post administrators of Suai, Maucatar and Lolotoe (Bobonaro), the Suai and Lolotoe police commanders, the chiefs of Labarai, Camenasa, Beco, Opa and Lupal, the Labarai community and students.
Photos: CJC Media
