The body of Papua New Guinea's first prime minister, the late Sir Michael Somare, has arrived in Wewak ahead of his burial.
Sir Michael died two weeks ago of pancreatic cancer aged 84.
Sir Michael Somare Photo: EPA
His state funeral was held on Friday at Sir Hubert Murray stadium in Port Moresby.
But on Sunday the body of the Grand Chief was flown to the East Sepik capital where he is to be buried at his Kreer Heights property, as was his wish.
The transferral of Sir Michael's body encountered a hitch at Port Moresby when people became upset that his casket was to be carried in the cargo area of an Air Niugini aircraft.
A late change was made, with the assistance of the Royal Australian Air Force, which provided a C-130 Hercules aircraft, in which the casket was able to be placed towards the front of the plane.
At the service in Port Moresby, Sir Michael's daughter, Dulciana Somare-Brash, gave a eulogy in which she evoked his vision that fused together the diverse lineage and cultures of over a thousand tribes into one nation.
"Contrary to the opinions of our colonial masters and critics, my father always envisioned us as one people, one nation and one country. I'm proud to say my father, Michael Somare, dreamed Papua New Guinea into existence," she said.
