Papua New Guinea's 50th anniversary of independence — how a nation of 800 languages was united

By, Wan Kantri: The Next 50 Years documentary, ABC

In a midnight radio address on Papua New Guinea's first day in existence, Sir Michael Somare - a former teacher and radio broadcaster from East Sepik - spoke to the new nation.

"I wish to remind all that this is just the beginning," he said.

"Now we must stand on our own two feet and work harder than ever before. We are indeed masters of our own destiny."

In the early 1970s, the idea of a united Papua New Guinea seemed almost impossible to achieve.

With hundreds of distinct tribes, languages, and traditions spread across some of the world's most rugged terrain, the path to independence was as complex as the country itself.

"Nobody thought that this was possible," said Sir Moi Avei, a former deputy prime minister.

"Everybody thought that it would disintegrate into 800 different pieces. But we defied all the critics."

It's been 50 years since the red, black and gold flag was first raised. Sir Moi was there as an advisor to Sir Somare, also known as PNG's founding father.

For Sir Somare's daughter, Dulciana Somare-Brash, understanding what brought the country together at its founding is key to its future.

"I think it is important for us to go back and do deep dives into history lessons about what motivated our forefathers," she said.

"If you can imagine that you're bringing together 900, not different groups, but it's like different planets of people, each with their own very distinct ways of communicating, of networking, of trading, and celebrating, and how we deal with conflict - all of those different things."

What was PNG like before independence?

For tens of thousands of years, PNG - a region spanning 460,000 square kilometres of mountainous terrain, rainforest and 600 islands - was home to an estimated 1,000 distinct tribes who spoke more than 800 languages.

PNG was first colonised by Germany and then Australia.

After forming a strong political coalition, Sir Somare travelled the country to bring the people with him on the journey to self-government in 1973.

"Everybody saw Michael for [his] fighting spirit ... But the other side of Michael Somare was his big heart; he could build bridges with every other group," said Sir Moi.

On 15 September 1975, the Australian flag, which had flown over Papua New Guinea since 1906, was lowered for the last time at the Hubert Murray Stadium.

Dame Meg Taylor, former private secretary to Sir Somare, said there was a "quietness over the whole stadium".

The PNG flag was raised to mass celebrations across the country.

"When you're young, you are very optimistic about the future. And you have a vision and you have a dream about what you want. There was a tremendous hope that we would build that country together," Dame Taylor said.

"Even though we have a modern economy and modern political system, what holds us together is our people and our families, our clans and our tribes. That is really important."

Former minister Byron Chan, son of the late Sir Julius Chan, PNG's longest-serving MP and former prime minister, said it was a "dream" for those at the time.

"Now we're living the dream and living the realities of that dream," he said.

"And I think the unique thing is that it reflects our cultural heritage and laws and beliefs are also captured in our Constitution and our laws, and that makes it unique according to the traditional way of life."

PNG has made big strides in 50 years, but there's a shared urgency for greater progress.

It's a country grappling with poverty and unemployment, gender-based violence and political instability, and access to services is one of the biggest challenges for its some 11.8 million people.

Its rich cultural diversity also brings complexities in national unity, but many remain hopeful.

Lillian Woruba, co-founder of The Voice Inc, a group of law students inspired by the constitution, began running legal awareness sessions in villages to teach people their rights.

She estimates its programs have reached more than 49,000 people, with projects driven by young people.

"The biggest asset we have in PNG is the young and active population that needs to be able to recognise their purpose and to actively participate in that nation building," she said.

Back to East Sepik

Half a century later, Sir Somare's daughters Dulciana and Bertha, regularly make the 2.5-hour boat journey from Port Moresby to the village where their father's journey first began, his home province East Sepik.

They say it's like stepping back in time.

"Unless people see where dad comes from, you don't realise the miracle of how he got from where he was born, to this humble village, and then to put so many tribes together," Bertha Somare said.

"And this is where he started, all the empowerment."Their home village of Kawerau in Warwick Lakes, a vast network of lagoons, wetlands and winding waterways

"We travel everywhere around the world ... and we identify as Papua New Guineans. But there's nothing that beats that feeling of coming home and knowing that for thousands of years you're connecting with your actual very own," Dulciana Somare-Brash said.

"I mean, we're full-blood from this area. I love it so much. This is the centre of our universe."

That dream for the future pioneered by the likes of Sir Somare and Sir Chan continues to impact the young people who live here, too, said Warren Buck, principal of Karau Primary School.

"The school itself was initiated by the great chief himself," he said.

"To have a son from this village with that dream of education, and from that dream he went out and made an impact on the country ... and the world is a mighty motivation for the kids."

-ABC