Voices of New Ireland:
Kun and Nochi wisdom
This book is the result of a participatory action research project developed with Indigenous communities in New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea, in collaboration with Langenia Primary School. Grounded in intercultural dialogue and community engagement, the project involved students, teachers, and village elders from the Kun and Nochi groups in documenting local knowledge, traditions, and ways of life through writing and illustration workshops. The initiative sought to integrate Indigenous knowledge into the school curriculum, creating a learning space that values cultural diversity and promotes collaborative authorship. The book gathers texts written by students and complemented by stories, songs, and reflections shared by elders from Liedan (Kun), Langenia, and Lossu II (Nochi) villages. Each contribution was collectively validated within the communities, ensuring cultural accuracy and authenticity. Beyond being a record of local heritage, Voices of New Ireland functions as a pedagogical and methodological resource for educators interested in community-based learning, participatory curriculum design, and decolonial approaches to education. It reflects how research and education can merge into a shared process of knowledge co-creation and cultural revitalization.
