The Loniu File is a brief description of the culture of the Loniu people, a group of people living in Manus Island which is a Province of Papua New Guinea. The brief descriptions of cultural traits are what was practiced hundreds of years ago. What remains today are remnants of the 'original' culture that was known and practiced in the past. People reading this book will notice that the three important things intertwined in the Loniu culture are respect, sorry and shame. How the people live and do things are very much influenced by these three things.
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Dr. Powesiu Lawes
Dr. Powesiu Lawes is a Medical Doctor, but he is also an artist and a writer. He began writing only after returning to his home village, when saw the need to document something about the culture of his people. This culture was eroding fast due to the influence of modernity and marriages outside the Loniu society as the two most prominent causative factors.
The book contains each cultural trait and explanatory notes which is mainly in English language, but the Loniu language is also used to mention each trait as they are known and pronounced by the people. Included in the book are drawings from Wati Kui Book 2 which gives a clearer imagery of the cultural trait being described.
Loniu File took about two years to complete from 2020 to 2021 which also included editing. Apart from medical work and producing artwork, it was noted that captions were needed to explain a piece of artwork, and this was a factor that influenced Dr. Powesiu Lawes to write. From early education in his home village to high school and then on to university, the author accumulated knowledge and experience in writing. He is also a reader in prehistory and premodern history which aided his knowledge to write confidently about various subjects that includes cultural changes in his Loniu society.
