Category — Papua New Guinea People

On a visit to the Enga Cultural Centre, the Take Ande, I was introduced to a legendary Engan leader who through necessity, brilliance, perseverance and very strong internal values, overcame some major hurdles to achieve significant social status and strong tribal influence.

One of the wall mounts about Takime

The remarkable aspects of this legendary person was that first, she was a female and second, she had married into the tribe.

Her name was Takime. She was born in around 1911 and married Lapinyo, a man from the Waripa clan of Enga. They had two sons, Keko&Temo, and their marriage was a normal one as it was back in those days. He did all the men’s works and roles in the tribe and as per custom, she looked after the kids, tended the gardens, fed the pigs and attended to all the female roles.

But one day, her husband was killed in a tribal fight.  Her sons were still very young and the distraught widow had to make a decision on what to do.  She decided that the boys still needed a father.

So she made an extreme option.

Instead of marrying another man, she decided that should be both mother and father to the boys. [Read more →]

“The child who is a warrior now, where is his future tomorrow?”

One of the Classrooms built by Yaso Kome

It was philosophical question, a musing on the place of the traditional warrior in a modern, progressive Enga.

The soft spoken Engan gentleman sitting in the drivers seat of his Toyota Landcruiser asked it calmly, the glint in his grey eyes reflected his unwavering belief – that the way to peace in his often violent province can be found with the children.

His name is Yaso Kome.

We had parked the car at a former tribal battleground. There was nothing here at one time; everything that was here, houses, crops, cars, pigs, dogs, and people were destroyed in one of Enga’s notorious tribal fights between enemy clans. [Read more →]

The Gogodala People of the Mid-Fly area of Western Province,  live in several villages in the Balimo – Aramia River area. These villages include Balimo, Kimama, Kini, Adiba, Kawito, Katale, Kewa and Uladu.

Dancing Mask on. Gogodala pictures at the end of this post

As well as staying at Balimo village for a few days, I also made a trip to the very cultural Kini village whose people were nice enough to talk to me and show their culture.

I thought that I would write this article about some aspects of the traditional the Gogodala Culture and my visit to Kini Village, including sharing some great photographs and information on the art and culture alive at the village. But first, some info about the Gogodala. [Read more →]

Once upon a time, there was this little girl….

I shot this video of a little girl with a canoe in Bougainville, at Pidia village. This village lies below the hills of Kieta-Arawa. This village is where they will shoot the Mr Pip video. I hope this little girl is in it. Enjoy.

About 38km Southeast of Manus and up to a maximum 3hrs in total travelling time by motorised dingy from the Loniu Bridge lies the mysterious volcanic island of Baluan.A place of historic importance to Manus and to Papua New Guinea.Three hours is the estimated maximum time to get there.

Mysterious Baluan, more images at bottom of the post

I arrived there at around 5.10pm Thursday 17^th February, 4hrs later than I had planned. [Read more →]

About 38km Southeast of Manus and up to 3hrs in total travelling time by motorised dingy from the Loniu Bridge lies the mysterious volcanic island of Baluan.

Baluan Mother and Child

Formed by an extinct volcano locally known as Malsu (pronounced Mal-sue), Baluan rises some 200 plus meters out of the sea. [Read more →]

Have you ever seen the sun rise over Port Moresby city from the sea? It’s a magnificent golden glow that rises quickly in the east up over thesea and the brown hills, merges with the city night lights before absorbing it all effortlessly in its embrace. As the light becomes stronger, the city’s few high rise buildingssparkle across the harbour, the city becomes a giant shimmeringbeacon that draws its awakening people towards it.

Sunrise at Port Moresby waters ( Daugo Island, also known as Fisherman Isl). More pictures at the bottom of the post.

[Read more →]

If you ever get to Manus, make sure you check out the main Manus Market at Lorengau.
It’s in the middle of town, right next to the bus stop. Everybody from Manus goes there.
It’s a great place to shop. You’ll find lots of fresh fish, prawns, lobsters and other seafood. [Read more →]