Cold and vicious, Nepotism cruelly snickers at the young Papua New Guinean man struggling to apply for a job. She mocks him as he puts his best foot forward, in a tragic attempt to secure a post he is well merited for. This is where the ‘Boss’ or ‘Big man,’ would exert his or her power and influence to secure a job for a relative.
The cunning hand of Nepotism also plays a pivotal role during elections. Voters tend to look past candidate qualifications, instead preferring to vote for their ‘Big Man’ as a gesture of respect. In this sense, the exercise of free will in a democratic Papua New Guinea is somewhat limited by the clutches of Nepotism.
The above, are examples of how Nepotism and the ‘Big Man’ system are infiltrating and poisoning our young nation, Nepotism is endemic with roots running deeper than the Marianna’s. Many scholars and writers have attributed its origin to our so-called domineering Melanesian Culture.
As an effect of the Melanesian cultural system of the ‘Big Man’ system, this cruel disease has manifested itself in today’s contemporary era. Thus, Nepotism can be interpreted as a bastard child of the ‘Big Man’ system of the Melanesian culture. Nepotism fuels the fires of corruption, where people in power bend the rules for their selfish gain in favor of their relatives.
This practice has been a hindrance to real change and development in institutions and organizations nationwide and is consuming the economy as well as a major player to corruption in the country.
The ‘Big Man’ system although seen as a curse in today’s contemporary society, is a core pillar of Melanesian culture for ages. In the days of our forefathers and today, the ‘Big Man’ culture was the thread that held the fabrics of society through forging friendships, sustaining family ties, trade relationships, etc…
In a nation rich with Melanesian Culture, Nepotism and the ‘Big Man’ system is inevitable but can be controlled. It cannot be uprooted completely from the system but can be used for the greater common good. The ideology of serving our own wantoks is a concept stemming from the ‘Big Man’ System and misinterpreted and abused in today’s contemporary age.
Education is a tool that can be used to illuminate the minds of those who tend to abuse powers entrusted to them. A person who is educated may be in a better position to avoid mixing culture with reality, especially in today’s contemporary society.
Having said that, those practicing nepotism today are also those who are well educated. It almost seems impossible to uproot the problem. At the end of the day, it all boils down to the ‘Big Man’ and his honesty abstaining from abusing powers.
Cultural practices should be employed and only applicable to socially acceptable circumstances where it is needed. Nepotism and the ‘Big Man’ System should not be abused and used to influence decision making.
Should we get rid of the cultural abuse, the actions of society would refrain from forcing the birth of more negative residual effects of culture. Hence, creating a Papua New Guinea where culture is practiced in the right way, serving the people for the greater good.
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