Chief Terima now in his eighties, has five wives and numerous children, grand children and great grand children, Paiya Village, Highlands Highway, Mt Hagen
Skulls of the fallen enemies of Chief Terima, Skull House, Paiya Village, Highlands Highway, Mt Hagen
Paper money was only introduced to Papua New Guinea 60 or so years ago, the preferred currency being shells called 'Kina' (the modern currency is named after this shell). For those of higher status, the ‘omak’ (OH-mak)’ is used, a long necklace of small bamboo sticks in a ladder-like fashion. Each strip on the omak represents 10 pigs or 10 kina shells (a large pig may be worth 500-1000 kina), and is an important indication of the wearers social status. This is Chief Terima, one serious granddad, his spear is made from a human tibia and in the village skull hut, the skulls of his felled enemies are proudly displayed for all to see, "I remember exactly the time, place and reason for every enemy killed..." he said to me.
Mud Men warriors re-enact their creation story at the Pogla Village Cultural Centre, Mt Hagen
Warrior Craftsman, Paiya Village, Highlands Highway, Mt Hagen
Woman's Sing-sing, or dance of welcome, Paiya Village, Mt Hagen
Would-be Melpa Warriors, put on a show for us at Moika Village, Mt Hagen
Woman's Sing-sing, or dance of welcome, Paiya Village, Mt Hagen
Simbu Tribal Flut player, Highlands Highway, Mt Hagen
Mara Group Male Singsing, Pogla Village Cultural Centre, Mt Hagen
Mount Hagen and Port Moresby...
Beans by the bundle, Mt Hagen Market
Parrot, Cultural Museum, Port Moresby
Airways Hotel, Complete with a Bar in a Real Airplane - kind of sums up the crazy atmosphere of Port Moresby
Chickens for sale, Mt Hagen Market
Traditional Haigir, Cooking with coconut, herbs, chicken & hot stones (Hot stones from the fire are wrapped in Banana Leaves before adding to the Haigir)
Fire Roasted Plantain (acompanyment to the Haigir-Cooking with coconut & hot stones)
Roadside Snack Sellers, Mt Hagen Suburbs
Cassowary Bird
Cucumbers anyone, Mt Hagen Market
Meri - Cucumber with salt & young ginger, Mt Hagen Market
Heliconia Flower
Tender young breadfruit shoots (used in cooking), Mt Hagen Market
Sunrise views from Rondon Ridge Lodge, Mt Hagen
East New Britain...
Tavurvur and Vulcan Volcanoes, Kokopo, Raboul, East New Britain
Boys in an out-rigger canoe (Tavurvur & Vulcan Volcanoes in the background), Kokopo Beach, Kokopo, East New Britain
Catch of the day is mostly Mullet. James fishing in Duke of York Bay in his outrigger canoe, Kokopo, East New Britain
Dolphins around the coast at Tufi Resort
Coastal Views around Tufi Resort
Coastal Views around Tufi Resort
Mens Singsing or Welcome Dance, Tufi Village
Village Boy in Trad Dress, Tufi Village
View accross tropical fjords from Tufi Lodge
Making Making Sago, Tufi Village
Mens Singsing or Welcome Dance, Tufi Village
Canoe Ride to Local village to Tufi Village
The Baining people are among the earliest and original inhabitants of the Gazelle Peninsula of East New Britain, Papua New Guinea. They get their name from the Baining Mountains which they inhabit. Their incredible mask's are laboriously made from bark, cloth, bamboo and leaves, used just once for the firedance ceremony before being thrown away or destroyed. The purpose of the firedance ceremony is to celebrate the birth of new children, the commencement of harvests and as a way of remembering the dead. The Baining firedance is also a rite of passage. Paricipation in the fire dance is a men-only event.
The 'Baining Fire Dance' - One of the most amazing ritual's you are ever likely to see! For more info see my blog : Fire Walk With Me
A Shaman evokes the night spirits, paving the way for the Baining Fire Dance
Baining Fire Dance - the dancers are led in to the circle
The fire is built up to a massive hight while the dancers circle and chant in time with the hipnottic drums
As the trance takes the dancers the fire dance begins in ernest
As the trance takes the dancers the fire dance begins in ernest
As the trance takes the dancers the fire dance begins in ernest
