A reminder of a life well lived

 

Sold in March 2025

 

After an oldtimer from Papua New Guinea's days before independence, whom we had recently befriended, was carted off to what they call a "residential aged care home", his accumulated memories of a lifetime were unceremoniously boxed up and also carted away, and what had been his home for half a lifetime was sold.

 

"Kiap" refers to a patrol officer or district officer, particularly in the context of pre-independence Papua New Guinea. These individuals, often Australian, were travelling representatives of the government with broad authority in remote regions. The term "kiap" is derived from the Papua New Guinean creole (Tok Pisin) word "Kapitän" (Captain).

 

According to a source close to him, he had already been away with the fairies and no longer recognised anyone or remembered anything, which may have been a blessing in disguise as he may not have noticed having his  HAUS KIAP  sign by the entrance sold off to the new owners as well.

I can just imagine the trouble he must have taken to produce this hand-crafted sign and mounting it by the door. I feel like driving out there to reclaim it from the new owners to send to him in his "residential aged care home". Perhaps it would help to remind him of a life well lived.

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