The Gida Initiative - protecting Motu cultural heritage
Meet the Gida Team
Of Scottish, German and Motu extraction, Tomás lives in Canberra, Australia.
Whilst third generation Australian by birth, Tomás considered himself blessed to be born into the Gunina Laurina descent group (iduhu) of Lahara, Hanuabada Village. He is proud to be identified as Motuan - the Motu, along with the Koita people, are the traditional land owners of the Port Moresby area.
Tomás Dietz (traditional Motu name: Hila Tomu)
Independent Researcher
Gida Founder and Project Manager
Tomás believes there is a direct correlation between cultural loss and social instability, and sees evidence of this in today's Motu society. He has grown up anticipating to voice his resolve to strengthen the fabric of modern Motu society, with the preservation and activation of traditional Motu culture as a key strategy to this end - this perspective motivated him to found Gida in 2014.
In 2015 Tomás activated Gida with the launch of Operation Raro at Boera. The field team for the operation was built with Motuan strategists, Olive Tau Davis and Geua Boe-Gibson:
Olive Tau Davis
Cultural Consultant
Laurabada Consultancy,
Cairns, Australia
Geua Boe-Gibson
Independent Researcher
Hamilton, New Zealand