Cultural Diversity in Papua New Guinea

June 2013

Papua New Guinea is one of the most socially diverse countries on earth – with a population of 8 million people, there are more than 820 living languages that stem from 100 different cultural groups. Each of these groups have their own unique practices including traditional attire and sing-sings, dances or marches passed down through the ages.

While traditional attire is no longer common place in the village it is worn on special occasions, the most important of which is Independence Day. Papua New Guinea gained independence from Australia on 16 September 1975 and since then the day has been a celebration of diversity with cultural festivals, shows and events taking place across the country.

The diversity of Papua New Guinea’s people is, quite simply, extraordinary. There are more shells and beads and colours and feathers than you can possibly imagine, and it is hard to comprehend that such diversity can be born to one place.

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Port Moresby, 2013. A woman has her face painted in traditional patterns while preparing for the Independence Day celebrations, showcasing the great diversity of cultures in Papua New Guinea.

Port Moresby, 2013. Cultural attire is typically made from various animal bones and skins – in this case, the claw of a possum can be seen hanging from the decorative skin worn across the shoulders.

Port Moresby, 2013

Port Moresby, 2013. The beak of the Papuan Hornbill, locally known as Kokomo, is a typical adornment of the Huli people.

Port Moresby, 2013. The Huli are the largest ethnic group in the Highlands and are known for their distinctive red and yellow face paints. They also wear decorative woven wigs, specially made by a unique clan known as the Huli Wigmen, who weave the wigs out of matted hair anointed with ritual water.

Port Moresby, 2013. Ambua, the Huli word for yellow clay, is sacred in their culture and combination with red ochre sets them apart from other tribes in the country.

Goroka, 2014. Known as the ‘snake dancers’, young boys are painted completely black and carry a large pretend snake as part of their traditional singsing.

Port Moresby, 2013.

Goroka, 2014. The women from the Western Highlands have an elaborate cultural outfit – necklaces made from hundreds of shells, distinctive red and white face paint, and a crown of feather made from the bird of paradise and parrots.

Goroka, 2014. Shells were traditionally used as a form of currency, particularly in the highlands areas of the country, and were seen as a sign of wealth and prosperity amongst many tribes.

Goroka, 2014. Traditional necklaces made from shells and seeds from a local tree.

Goroka, 2014. Nose-piercings are common practice in the Western Highlands, with long sticks used as adornment in traditional attire

Goroka, 2014. People from Marawaka, Eastern Highlands Province.

Port Moresby, 2013.

Goroka, 2014. A young boy watches the world.

Goroka, 2014. A ‘snake dancer’.

Goroka, 2014.

Goroka, 2014. The Huli wigmen perform a traditional singsing – they stand in two rows facing each other, jumping and chanting to the rhythm of a drum beat.