25/10/2025
Only in Marawaka we eat 😋 Kakruka( pendanuts).
The Treasure of the Forest: The Pandanus Harvest
In the misty highlands of Papua New Guinea, deep within the lush green forest, a group of children set out early one morning with laughter echoing through the trees. The forest floor was still wet with dew, and the air smelled of wild flowers and fresh soil. They were on a special mission—to harvest pandanuts, the golden treasure of their land.
Leading the group was Maria, a bright young girl with a fearless smile. Her younger brother Kale trailed behind, carrying a woven bilum bag that swung side to side with each step. Their cousins Lani and Peter followed, chatting excitedly about how they would roast the nuts once they got home.
As they climbed the narrow, muddy trail, the tall pandanus trees stood proudly around them—long leaves stretching toward the sky, roots like stilts anchoring them firmly in the earth. These trees were more than plants; they were a gift from the ancestors, providing food, shelter, and stories for generations.
Finally, Maria spotted a large pandanus fruit lying on the ground, its thick spiky husk cracked open. She called out joyfully, “Em hia! Em punda i punda!” (“Here it is! It’s fallen!”) The others rushed to her side, their faces lighting up as they saw the bright yellow-orange flesh inside.
Working together, they pulled the heavy fruit apart, revealing the precious nuts hidden within. Maria lifted one half of the pandanus above her head, beaming with pride. “We found it!” she shouted, her voice full of excitement. Kale and Peter laughed, holding smaller pieces and pretending to be strong hunters returning from a great journey.
For a moment, the forest seemed to celebrate with them—the birds calling, the wind whispering through the leaves.
They would carry the pandanuts back to the village, where their mothers would roast them over a small fire, releasing a sweet, nutty smell. Everyone would gather to share the food, stories.
