21/08/2025
When I wrote Style Tumbe, I wanted it to be more than just a song. I wanted it to be a gift, a dedication to the people of Jiwaka Province. Jiwaka is a land of beauty, spirit, and resilience. Its valleys are rich and fertile, its gardens feed the nation, and its people are known everywhere for their joy, passion, and strength.
The inspiration came from the Tumbe bird, a small but mighty bird that lives in the forests of Jiwaka. It is more than a bird. It is a symbol of pride, freedom, and resilience. That’s why even the Jiwaka Provincial Rugby Team carries its name proudly; the Jiwaka Tumbe. To me, the bird represents uniqueness and beauty, just like the people of Jiwaka themselves.
In the song, I imagined the Tumbe as if it were a beautiful woman. I gave it voice, soul, and charm. Through this metaphor, I wanted to celebrate Jiwaka as a place of identity and pride, describing it with the same admiration you would describe someone you deeply love. That’s why the song feels like a love song. But the truth is, it is a love letter to Jiwaka, written in music.
Some people have asked me why I used the word Heaven. For me, it is very simple. It’s not about the afterlife or religion. It’s about that overwhelming feeling of joy, love, and happiness that you can experience here on Earth. It’s that euphoric state when you feel like you belong, when you are surrounded by peace and love, so that’s what I call heaven. Many great artists have used the word in this way. Bryan Adams sang about it, and so have countless others. So in Style Tumbe, heaven simply means that moment of pure joy, the paradise we can find in our people, our culture, and our land.
But Style Tumbe is just the beginning. My dream is to record a song for every one of Papua New Guinea’s 22 provinces, celebrating their languages, traditions, and identities. Each province has its own rhythm, its own story, its own beauty waiting to be sung. Through music, I believe we can tell these stories to the world.
Of course, recording music at this level is not easy. It takes thousands of kina. The studio fees, production costs, design, mixing, mastering, and promotion. Sometimes we can only record when we have the money or when someone sponsors the vision. That’s why I humbly ask those who love my music to support it in any way they can. Share it. Stream it. Like it. Comment. Follow me on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube. Every view, every stream, every word of encouragement helps us continue. It keeps PNG music alive and moving forward.
We have been independent for fifty years now. It is time to stop the jealousy and hate, and instead lift each other up. PNG has over 800 languages, countless traditions, and one of the richest cultural tapestries in the world. Through music, we can show this beauty to the world. Style Tumbe is for Jiwaka, yes, but it is also for Papua New Guinea. It is for our people, our pride, our identity.
This song represents the three main regions of Jiwaka Province: Jimi, Waghi, and Kambia. You will hear those names right from the start of the song. It also celebrates Geru Peng, the traditional bilas of the province, which I describe in the middle of the song through the image of the striking red mark painted on the nose; a cultural symbol that always captures attention. The Waghi River, the great lifeline of the valley, flows everywhere in the lyrics. And at the heart of it all is the blessed Waghi Valley itself, with its charming and lovely people. I hope that the languages I sing in, the accents, and the dialogues capture the true sound of how Jiwaka people speak and understand, so they can feel it in their hearts when they listen.
I could not have brought this song to life without the support of many amazing people. With deep gratitude and respect, I acknowledge:
LANGUAGE TRANSLATION BY:
• Brother Waghi Wan (Willie)
• Sister Shalom & her cousins
• Ency T Yopo, Uncle Faye Isingi & the Yopo Family
PHOTO SUPLIED BY:
• Uncle 675 (Thirteen Plus on TikTok)
• My daughter, Londo Yopo
• Bata Barney (TikTok)
ART WORKS:
• Kandidu Designs – for the album and artwork that captured the soul of Jiwaka visually.
SPONSOR:
• Mal Investment Limited (Mali Events PNG) – for proudly sponsoring this project and believing in the vision.
STUDIO:
• T17_Records – the studio that helped shape the sound.
PRODUCER:
• Bata Dee (Nigel) – for his skillful production and creativity in bringing the music to life.
UNDER MALI MUSIC LABEL
To all of you, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without your support, Style Tumbe would not exist.
So when you listen to this song, don’t just hear the melody….. feel the story. It is a love song, yes, but it is also a cultural anthem. It is about identity, pride, and joy. It is about Jiwaka, but it is also about all of us as Papua New Guineans. Through music, we can carry our stories far and wide and remind the world that PNG is more than just mountains, rivers, and struggles. We are a people of strength, of love, and of unity.
This is Style Tumbe.
Your Support Means A lot To Us!
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