Learn about the Nahu community and a few of their development initiatives.

The Nahu people (Iyo language group) live in Papua New Guinea, an island nation that’s home to over 800 distinct language groups. The broader Nahu community lives in villages that stretch from the northern Rai Coast of PNG, over the crest of the Finisterre Range, and down along the edge of the Markham Valley. (Click here for a map pointing out the general location). The Nahu community that Wood Butter works with refers to the families living at the crest of the Finisterre Range in the Sewe, Dana, Moro, and Gumbarami villages. Over 6,000 people speak the Nahu’s indigenous language, Iyo. The Nahu people are primarily subsistence farmers - experts in the abundant resources produced on their lands.

The Nahu villages are remote. Contemporary development initiatives have not penetrated the extremely rugged Finisterre Range (a colonial name that means “ends of the earth”). There is no road, electricity, or indoor plumbing. Normally, goods are imported or exported by foot. It takes one full day (or two, if you’re an outsider) to take a one-way hike to the nearest road in the Markham Valley.

Nahu leaders have prioritized and implemented their own development initiatives. In the 1990s, Nahu leaders (with help from Colin and Dee Murphy) established the Gumose Primary School in Gumbarami that will host the library. Leaders also built an airstrip at Gumbarami that can land a small bush plane. A flight is very expensive. But by pooling resources, the community can import or export goods in 10 minutes by flight (instead of the days-long hike normally required). In the 2000s, leaders established a community health clinic, as well as outdoor plumbing for showers and spigots that serve families groups in each of the four villages. Currently, they’re working on creating a hydropower system to generate and deliver electricity to the school, clinic, and directly to families’ homes.

By partnering with churches, government entities, and nonprofits, Nahu leaders have successfully prioritized and executed sustainable, community-driven development initiatives. The Gumose Community Library is now among those initiatives.