Ialibu

Ialibu is a town in the Southern Highlands Province of Papua New Guinea, serving as the headquarters for the Ialibu-Pangia District.

Contents

Culture

Ialibuans are known for their weaving and selling vegetable baskets. This is one of the many ways which many rural people earn a living.

The Ialibu Museum was established in the 1990s. Languages spoken in the district are Kewabi and Imbongu.

Some of the respected and notable personalities who have shaped Ialibu are Turi Wari, Mr Undi Nandi, Roy Yaki, Patrick Rama, Ame Bote, Yer Kale, Lepilepi Kawa, Fabian Yapa, Raphael Noipo and Pawa Kombea.

Communications and Transportation

Ialibu is connected by roads to the rest of the world. Ialibu does have a certified airstrip which is yet to be operational. The nearest airports are Mendi Airport and Mt Hagen Airport both about an hour from Ialibu Station. Radio stations are available and mobile phone and landline phones are provided by Telikom PNG and DIGICEL. The national television station, EM TV is broadcasted throughout Ialibu.

Rivers

Rivers in Ialibu are the Yalo, Yali and Mapele rivers.

Sports

Popular sports in Ialibu are Rugby league, Basketball, Volleyball and Touch Rugby.

Landmarks and Attractions

The most significant landmark feature is the Telikom PNG telecommunication tower. It is situated in the middle of the administration center. It is also home to Mount Ialibu and Mount Giluwe, which the second highest mountain in Papua New Guinea and a tourist attraction.

Health and education

The Ialibu District Hospital offers services to the Ialibu, Pangia, Kagua and Erave people. There is only one general practitioner here despite the fact that there is position for two medical officers. There are several nursing staff at the hospital. the common illnesses seen at the hospital are medical conditions including pneumonia, tuberculosis, malaria, asthma, COAD,as well as other infective conditions. The hospital also provides paediatrics care and obstetrics care as well. Life style diseases like essential hypertension and diabetes mellitus are a rising problem in this are. Major cases the GP cannot manage are referred by car to the Mt. Hagen General Hospital.The hospital is state run.

Schools in the district include Ialibu Secondary School, St Clare Primary School, Ialibu Admin Primary School and Ialibu Lutheran Community School.

Surrounding Villages

The villages nearby Ialibu are Yameyame, Koromi, Lama, Pale, Yarena, Ponowi, Yombi, Karanas, Isele, Mungumapu, Mondada, Kendayamo (Kendgal), Kuyopulu, Koraipe, Kengaro, Pilipili Island (PSP), Kokola, Pope, Kou, Maral, Kirene, Walume, Orei and Kaupena, and many more exciting places to visit.

The people from these places share two common local languages and they are; imboungu and Kewabi. Imboungu is mainly spoken by central Ialibu and extends to Mt Hagen and Mendi whereas Kewabi is spoken by people living further east towards Kagua and Pangia.