The Tribes of Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea’s impenetrable rainforest allowed many indigenous tribes to develop in total isolation from the modern world. Their lifestyles have remained unchanged for thousands of years. 

Here, local communities know they can count on the fertile land to provide various types of vegetables and the traditional staple, the sweet potato.  

Ainanani has just returned from working her crops and will soon prepare a traditional dish called “mumu.”  

An earthen pit is formed and filled with hot stones.  Banana leaves are used to cover the stones.  Then layers of vegetables and meat mixed with coconut milk are added and cooked.  

Members of the Chimbu tribe perform a traditional ceremony in the nearby village of Moroma. 

People of the Moroma tribe are known for the hourglass shape of their drums and their huge headdresses made of feathers from birds-of-paradise.

Like so many other tribal communities throughout the world, the Chimba mostly wear modern clothing and their traditional dress has become a costume used for traditional ceremonies.

The capital of the region, Goroka, lies further along The Highlands.  The island’s ancient way of life has been disrupted by the inflow of modern consumer goods. Trash piles up in the streets and puts the public’s health at risk.

The children of The Highlands still maintain their ancestral bond with the natural environment.  But like children in other fragile places, this generation of The Highlands will be faced with existential challenges in the near future.

Remarkably, schools on the island have found a way to provide these children with a basic education through middle school.