My mother calls me Yaltep

by Ignatius Kilage

Genres: Fiction

121 pages, Paperback

Published January 1, 1984

Reviews

[Zedaiah Kanau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A classic by former PNG GG Ignatius Kilage, a somewhat semi-autobiographical work about life in colonial Chimbu. The book recounts the first contact stories of the area, including the people's fascination of Western Contraptions akin to what they believed as gifts from the gods (birth of cargo cult) or a sign that the dead of their ancestors have come to wreck havoc.

The main, being Yaltep, (baptized name for Joseph) tells his story through the lenses of his parents and grandparents. Liken to many colonial stories before, this novel tells the tale of how a once tranquil and untamed Chimbu came under the guise of the Missionaries (Lutheran/Catholic) through catechism. As always, the elders were undermined and their way of life completely changed from there.

The novel recalls ancient ways of life/taboos in Chimbu which includes rites of passage (boy/girl), arranged marriages, courting, bridal/groom payments or exchanges among others. The book is vis-à-vis to PNGs transition from colonial occupation to a liberated nation although in the closing the author mentioned something about the divided opinion about being free to govern their own affairs. Great read