It’s been 7 months since I visited Papua New Guinea, and I still don’t have my head wrapped around this country. Nor do I think I ever will. It’s just way too complicated with approximately 850 tribes found throughout this island nation. And many of them so isolated that they have their own distinct language and can’t communicate with tribes located within miles of them.
To complicate matters, the country’s natural resources are being exploited by companies from many countries including Malayasia, Australia and neighboring Indonesia.
Tribal life in Papua New Guinea is not perfect – women are treated poorly and hold nearly the same status as pigs (which ARE valuable, by the way). But it’s a way of life that they’ve developed over tens of thousands of years. As a matter of fact, a recent Reuters article reported that archeologists have found evidence that humans lived in the Highlands of PNG 50,000 years ago. Tell me we don’t have something to learn from them!
The mudmen are some of the most unusually dressed tribesman at the Mt. Hagen Singsing. Legend has it that during a war with a neighboring tribe, the Asaro tribesmen ran into a riverbed to hide. When they emerged, they were covered in mud. Their enemy believed that these “men” came from the spirit world and didn’t attempt to kill them. Seizing the opportunity, the Asaro tribe continued to dress like this for battle.
Tribes use available materials as part of their clothing: Bird feathers, pig tusks, pandanu leaves and hornbills are all commonly seen. There’s also a lot of trading between tribes who associate with one another – therefore it’s common to see coastal shells adorning the necks of mountain and jungle tribes.
This is one of 5 wives of the tribal chief near Magic Mountain, not far from Hagen. She shows off her wealth in the number of shelled necklaces she wears. I can’t imagine how many pounds she’s carrying!
There must be great pain (yet great pride) involved in inserting natural elements into one’s nose – like these pig tusks in the septum of this Gor tribesman.
This man is preparing for the Piaya Mini-Show, which is a half-day private singsing where maybe a dozen tribes gather as they practice for the Mt. Hagen Singsing the following day. During our August Papua New Guinea Mt. Hagen Singsing tour, the group will visit this show and be able to meander around the tribes while they apply their makeup and costumes, and practice their singing and dancing.
Not everyone in Papua New Guinea wears tribal clothing. This gentleman was (presumably) a local, taking in the events of the day just like the rest of us. I am surprised, but shouldn’t be, at how much he looks like an Australian Aboriginal.
See other lovely photos at DeliciousBaby!
Travel Well!
Beth
Related links:
Papua New Guinea co-ed cultural tour
Papua New Guinea Coastline
Papua New Guinea Erima Tribe
Is Port Moresby Safe or Dangerous?
Meg Noble Peterson says
These are totally amazing photos. How things have changed regarding allowing people to view life in Papua NG since I tried to get there twenty years ago. I wonder if you were able to gain entrance into any of the headhunter tribes deep inland. You certainly have opened my eyes to a most unique travel destination.
Akila says
Wow, wow, wow, Beth. These are simply unbelievable pictures. The shells, the tusks, the paint . . . I can see why you are having a hard time wrapping your mind around the place. This is one of my very favorite photo posts you have ever published. You make me want to go there and see this unique destination. Thank you so much for sharing these pictures!
Sonja says
Phenomenal photos. What an experience, probably life-changing. Hard to believe people still live like this.
Camels & Chocolate says
I think it’s safe to say that no one, NO ONE, ever has a Photo Friday quite like yours! You always have some cool, off-the-beaten-path trip to tell us about! The first photo is my favorite.
Jessica says
Those are captivating photos! Wow!
Angela says
What a fascinating post, photos are gorgeous and words so evocative. You had such a precious experience in Papua New Guinea, I’d love to go and meet its locals like you did, it’s like reconnect with our remote past.
wandering educators says
what extraordinary photos – i SO want to go.
Tracy says
Those are some of the most amazing photos I’ve seen outside of a National Geographic. When I was studying at uni I took a ethnology class on PNG tribes. The lecturer spent every second year living with tribes in PNG and he came back with most amazing tales.. and malaria and dengue of course but that’s beside the point. I’m not surprised that you feel like you still don’t have your head around PNG, even 7 months later.
Sophie says
What beautiful and evocative photos. PNG looks like such a fascinating country.
Sarah V. says
These are beautiful photos! I especially like the first one. I agree with Tracy, these are National Geographic quality!
Nomadic Samuel says
These photos are truly fantastic! Raw emotions well captured 🙂
Mary @ Green Global Travel says
Lovely article! I would love to learn more about Papua New Guinea and appreciated the education and especially the fact that you noted the exploitation of their natural resources by surrounding nations.