Papua New Guinea is not very well known and still has not been thoroughly explored. Sue and I were interested in fulfilling my childhood dream--to visit tribal people who have not been in too much contact with the outside world. This large island nation is north of Australia. There are an estimated 725 different tribes each with their own language and culture. Estimates are that this area contains 25% of all the languages still existing in the world.
First we traveled into the vast swamps
of the Sepik and Karawari Rivers. Several of the Yatmul speaking
tribes are famous for their incredible wood carvings. Their villages
are beautiful and most contain a central grassy plaza where the
most sacred building, the "Haus Tambaran" or "spirit
house" stands.
It is the center for male rituals.
High in the mountains of the Southern Highlands province live the large Huli tribe. They are still proud of their tradition of being fearless warriors.
Teenaged boys train for three years to learn the complicated responsibilities of manhood.
In the first photo I am being welcomed by leaders of a monastic training school for young men. A garland of dried purple globe amaranth flowers was put on my head. Sue & I were only the third group to ever see this. Huli warriors paint their faces and wear elaborate headdresses made of their own hair which is cut off at age 18. Their hair is then woven into a headdress festooned with elaborate arrangements of dried flowers and exotic bird feathers.
The third photo is of a village chief. When he heard I taught about American government he laughed. With a twinkle in his eye as he said he would demonstrate how to deal with any politician!!
Useful Links:
http://www.paradiselive.org.pg/
http://coombs.anu.edu.au/SpecialProj/PNG/Index.htm