CULTURE
In a country of four million
people with 800 different languages, Papua New Guinea cannot be
compared with any other country for its rich cultural diversity.
There is no such thing as a typical Papua New Guinean. More than
200 cultures, each with different traditions, have been identified.
The impact of modernisation
brings daily change to Papua New Guinea, but the majority of people,
whether they be from the Highlands to the Coastal regions, remain
dependent on subsistence farming and live in small villages. Much
of the inherited social structure, from matters affecting gardening
to marriage and death, remains unchanged. The responsibility for
the day to day work of gardening and caring for children and animals
still lies with the women. Social units are based on family, clan
and tribe. Ownership of material wealth is vested in the household
and controlled by a male elder. Wealth was not traditionally accumulated
for its own sake, but so it could be given away, with elaborate
ceremony, creating prestige for the giver and placing obligations
on the receiver. Fundamental to the society were notions of reciprocity
and family obligations. This still holds true in today's society.
Ancient rituals are still
performed for important social events. These elaborate ceremonies
are normally presided over by the elders of the clan, with warriors
painted and decorated in bright colours, feathers and shells.
Today each of the twenty provinces has its own cultural festivals
and regional shows where groups are invited to perform and visitors
have the opportunity to glimpse the many visual and performing
arts of Papua New Guinea. The most popular shows include the Hiri
Moale, held in Port Moresby every September, the Mount Hagen show,
held annually in August and the Goroka Show, every September,
which attracts tourist from all over the world.
Papua New Guinea's art forms
are as diverse as they are distinctive. In a country where language
varies from village to village, it can be expected that artistic
expression will differ in style just as dramatically. Pottery,
weapons, carvings, basketwork, musical instruments are produced
by different people in different places, according to their traditional
skills and beliefs. The Waigani area of the National Capital District
is home to the impressive Parliament House building and the National
Museum and Art Gallery, which exhibits one of the finest collections
of primitive art in the world. Sepik River carvings, Malagan masks
and Trobriand Island fishing vessels are just some of the unique
examples of Papua New Guinean culture on display.
Parliament House building is constructed in the style of a traditional
Sepik River Haus Tambaran, or Spirit House. Artists and craftsmen
from the villages throughout PNG were brought together to work
on the impressive carvings, mosaics and murals. The result is
a magnificent testimony to this culturally diverse and fascinating
nation. Papua New Guinea artefacts and handicrafts can be purchased
from individual artists and retail outlets in towns and villages.
The faculty of Creative Arts at the University of PNG at Waigani
is also an excellent source of paintings, pottery and etchings.
Contact the Provincial Tourist Office, located in each of the
provincial headquarters for details of the best places to view
and purchase local; handicrafts and artefacts.
