The Be Jijimo Gallery on the mezzanine level houses a collection of oral histories.
Be Jijimo refers to the Rirowa legend of the Binandere people that warns of the need to be vigilant and ‘keep the fire alive’. Literally, “Be” means mouth and “Jijimo” means sustaining continuity; together the words may be interpreted as “keeping alive by word of mouth”.
To be jijimo is to keep alive by word of mouth which, as opposed to the written word, is how memories, stories and knowledge have always been passed on from generation to generation in traditional Papua New Guinean societies. Hence, the exhibits are an extension of the oral traditions, captured and brought to you for your listening convenience.
Here is the website link for the oral history collection recording the memories and stories about Papua New Guinean’s during the World War II; https://pngvoices.deakin.edu.au