Christmas Greetings

Christmas is one of the world’s popular festive seasons, which is associated with the Christian faith. The name Christmas is derived from Christ Mass, a Christian gathering to celebrate a significant event that took place some 2000yrs ago in Bethlehem where baby Jesus was born.  Christmas as we know it today is a Victorian invention of the 1860s. Probably the most celebrated holiday in the world, our modern Christmas is a product of hundreds of years of both secular and religious traditions from around the globe.

In Papua New Guinea, as a Christian country, and with over 800 plus languages, we also have our own versions of Christmas Greetings, and they are expressed in over 800 different local dialects. Post PNG Limited, as the governing body administering the production and distribution of Papua New Guinea postage stamps (through its Philatelic Business Unit), in its continued efforts to preserve/promote traditions of Papua New Guinea, has released nine (9) sets of stamps featuring Christmas related images (illustrated by Masi B Masiboda, a young local Artist), and with the inscription ‘Christmas Greetings’ in nine (9) of the 800 different languages.

Dialects used in this issue includes:

• Stampset:

1. 75t - Hailareva soa - Gulf Province (Toaripi dialect)
2. K1.50 - Bolmahogu wai  - Simbu Province (Keri dialect)
3. K3.40 - Abona lukara na kinakava - East New Britain Province (Kuanua dialect)
4. K6.80 - Tamwasawasi Towatanawa - Milne Bay Province (Kiriwina dialect)

• Sheetlet

5. 75t - Lang nahpwen  - Manus Province (Manus dialect)
6. K1.50 - Krismas Moalena  - Central Province (Hiri dialect)
7. K3.40 - Numan enem - Western Highlands Province (Melpa dialect)
8. K6.80 - Awogu amozin Orande - Eastern Highlands Province (Gadsup dialect)

• Souvenir Sheet:

9. K13 - Shondha gavo handha - Morobe (Kuwi dialect)