Dances and Colours


Published: September 2022

By: Leah-Marie Uvia /Love your A&C

Papua New Guinea is a nation that holds pride in its beauty in cultural heritage. It is home to hundreds of beautiful ethnic cultural groups that together, contribute to make PNG the culturally diverse nation that it is. 

 Every year, these groups come together and present their cultures and traditions through the most beautiful cultural festivals, filled with traditional sing-sings and bilas, where colours, culture, arts and history fill the air in its beauty.

The following are just 4 prodigious cultural festivals (among the many) from the 4 regions of PNG:

1. The Goroka Show

The Goroka Show is a well-known and significant cultural event held in the Highlands region of Papua New Guinea. It is usually held annually in September, during the week of the country’s Independence anniversary.

 Men with kundu drums and traditional wear during a performance
                                                        Source: papuanewguinea.travel


2. Hiri Moale Festival 

The Hiri Moale Festival is an annual cultural celebration of the history and culture of the Motu Koitabu people. This event celebrates the trading voyages of the Motuans to the people of Gulf. They also celebrate their journey on the very significant sea vessel, the Lakatoi.

 

A Lakatoi sailing on the sea during the Hiri Moale Festival in 2019.
Source: www.amazingportmoresby.com


  3. The National Mask Festival & Warwagira

The Mask Festival is an annual cultural event that began in 1995 amid the Tolai people. Later, it spread to the rest of the province. This event promotes the amazing mask cultures, ritual performances, songs and dances. It is held annually in Kokopo, in the month of July.

An image of Baining Fire Dancers during one of the annual Mask Festivals.
Source: i.stuff.co.nz


   4. The Sepik Crocodile Festival

The Sepik Crocodile Festival celebrates the special bond between Sepik men and crocodiles, in their culture. The event takes place in Ambunti, East Sepik province, over three days. In this festival, the Sepik people celebrate their traditions, beliefs, history and arts based on crocodiles of the Sepik River, which is one of the largest rivers in the Asia-Pacific region.

 

Men holding a carving of a crocodile during the Sepik Crocodile Festival.
Source: papuanewguinea.travel


To discover more about the above festivals, check out the video links below:

https://youtu.be/Bh9VHyNx8dc -  The Mask Festival

https://youtu.be/ireaaF1GBIE - The Hiri Moale Festival

https://youtu.be/8epy8tPjUQs - The Goroka Show

https://youtu.be/K1BT_ECZpb8 - The Sepik Crocodile Festival






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