On August 8th, 2023, I had the pleasure of traveling to Papua New Guinea. This adventure was undoubtedly different from my prior travels, as Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a place unlike any other. The culture, the tribes and the vibe are all unique. I spent just over three weeks in this country having some amazing experiences and learning as much as I possibly could about this largely ignored culture.
My travels throughout this amazing country are documented in six separate posts. You can see Papua New Guinea through my eyes by perusing the posts in the carousel below.
Papua New Guinea inspired me to introduce a new section to my travel blog. Cultural Snapshots will be where I will delve a bit further into certain aspects of the cultures I have encountered during my travels. I hope to provide my readers with a deeper look and first-hand knowledge that you simply cannot get from search engines.
In this Cultural Snapshot, I will be introducing you to the Black Mamas and Jiwaka people.
The Black Mamas
Unfortunately, I was not able to find much information on the Black Mamas but I felt they were too beautiful to be omitted. I guess the photos will have to suffice. I remain hopeful that I will be able to return to Papua New Guinea and learn more about them.
These women were performing at the Mount Hagen festival in their traditional attire. Their skirts are made of cordyline leaves folded accordion style and secured with a bilum belt. The bandeau pelt the young lady on the right is wearing is made from the fur of the cuscus.
The Jiwaka
Unlike the Black Mamas, I was able to gather a bit more information on the Jiwaka people. “Jiwaka” is a portmanteau word combining the first two letters each from the words Jimi, Kambia and Wahgi. Jimi and Kambia are mountains ranges found at the northern and southern end of the Wahgi valley.
Social
The Jiwaka have several social traditions or ceremonies.
“Konk Numb” – Jiwaka young people engage in these courting ceremonies decked out in traditional finery and face paints. This courtship ceremony entails the young people engaging in jubilant dancing and singing. The term Kong Gar is also used interchangeably here as it simply denotes any ceremonial feast or celebration. Kong Gar means “pig’s house”, which is appropriate as massive numbers of pigs are slaughtered and feasted upon.
“‘Ana Kolma” – a lavish ceremony that marks new beginnings not just of romantic relationships between males and females but between tribes. Similar to the tee ceremony of the Enga, during Ana Kolma conflicts are resolved and new promises strengthen families and clans.
“‘Kunda Kumba” – this somber ceremony is meant to resolve conflicts after a death (accidental or pre-meditated) or the destruction of property.
Rite of Passage
Male initiation ceremonies were common in the past but are very infrequent now. Influences from the outside world have diminished the importance of these ceremonies in the lives of pubescent males.
Bride Price
Prior to marriage a groom’s family must pay a “bride price” or dowry. Like other Highland tribes, pigs are the standard sign of wealth, as well as the highly valued kina shells. These items are given to the bride’s father as compensation for the loss of his daughter. Today, in addition to pigs, the price includes a significant amount of money. The negotiation of the bride price is considered an integral part of the marriage itself. The value of the woman dictates the price.
Traditional Attire
The people from the Western Highlands and Jiwaka Provinces are renowned for their impressive headdresses. While theirs don’t necessitate the killing of mimor beetles like the Kalam or donning fabulous wigs like the Huli, their headdresses are fabulous in their own right. Huge, brightly colored feathers take center stage.
Their bodies are adorned with kina shells, pig tusks and grasses. Their faces are literal works of art, painted in bright, bold colors. The paint is made from local dyes mixed with oil from plants, pig’s fat, clay and mud.
The men wear wide belts of beaten bark with a drape of strings in front and a bunch of leaves attached to a belt covering the rear (tanket). The men also love their beards and have been known to paint them in the same color as their faces.
The women look regal with flowy headdresses and bandeaus and fringed skirts made of cuscus fur. I found that they were rarely seen without a kundu drum by their side.
Next Post: The Kunai and Mendi
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