THE TSENGLAP TRIBE OF JIWAKA

A Tribal Myth

Sir Kaiabelt Diria

The late Sir Kaibelt Diria was from Gilgalkup Clan of the Tsenglap Tribe. Sir Kaibelt was first elected into the Papua New Guinea House Of Assembly in 1964 as Member For Wahgi. Prior to 1977, there was only one Open Electorate inside the Wahgi. In 1977, they separated the Wahgi Area into two electorates now known as the North Wahgi and South Wahgi Open Electorates.

Sir Kaibelt was a Member for Thirteen (13) years from 1964 to 1977. Sir Kaibelt Diria was Minister For Post and Telegraphs when Papua New Guinea gained Self Government in 1973. During his term as Member for Wahgi, he teamed up with Sir Michael Somare and made Somare to become the Chief Minister in 1973 and later Prime Minister in 1975.

Pioneer of Wahgi Politics

Sir Kaibelt Diria married several wives and has many children. Prior to being elected as a Member he was a village chief. After he lost his seat in 1977, Sir Kaibelt was a Councillor for the Tsenglap Tribe. In 1983 Kaibelt Diria was knighted by the Queen for his services to Government and Politics. The Governor General of Papua New Guinea Sir Kingsford Dibela came to Tolu Village in 1983 and knighted Kaibelt Diria.

When the late Sir Kaibelt Diria was minister for Post and Telegraphs, he ensured that the North Wahgi and South Wahgi areas were connected with the telecommunications landline, a landmark installation which is in service to this day.