Tei Abal
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Tei Abal | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1932? |
| Died | March 14, 1994 Wabag, Papua New Guinea |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Known for | One of the "founding fathers" of Papua New Guinea |
| Spouse | Nael Abal |
| Children | Three sons (including Sam Abal) and three daughters |
Sir Tei Abal KBE (1932? – 1994) was a member of the parliament of Papua New Guinea (PNG) between 1964 and 1982, during which time he both served as a government minister in several positions and was leader of the opposition. He was known as an unsuccessful advocate of slowing down the process of PNG's Independence, because he considered that the population from the Highlands areas, of which he was one, were unready for independence.[1][2]
Tei Abal was born, around 1932, near Laiagam, in what was then the Western Highlands of the Territory of New Guinea. He was the only son of Abal Monape, a leader of the Temanga clan. His mother died during his childhood, apparently because of devastating frosts that left the Laiagam valley without food. The hunger led father and son to leave home and travel through the Lai Valley in search of food. Abal witnessed his father being murdered by local tribesmen, and subsequently suffered considerable destitution. A couple from Wapenamanda eventually adopted him.[1][2]
Abal received no formal education. He became a servant of a police constable, and accompanied government officials on tours for census taking and other purposes, learning about the government administration in the process. He taught himself Tok Pisin, a creole language now spoken widely throughout PNG, but he never mastered written or spoken English. Abal trained as a medical orderly in 1947, and later supervised New Guinean staff at Wabag Hospital. His work included carrying out one of the largest immunization programmes ever conducted in Enga. In 1954 he married Nael, daughter of a village leader, which raised his status. When her father was killed during a tribal battle, Abal quickly assumed leadership of the village. This made him able to grow coffee and raise pigs. He also became a gold prospector.[1][2]
