From the Highlands of Papua New Guinea to the coast, the people celebrate culture and make merry with dances and traditional costumes. For some reason these warriors from Wahgi came to mind when I looked at the Sepia Saturday merry makers. They were at the enormously popular Goroka Show in, I think, 1972. Seeing thousands of warriors gathered together is a spectacular sight, and that’s without walking in mud up to your ankles, and before a “stoush” led to the Police firing tear gas into the crowd, which promptly knocked down the wire fence trying to get out of the showgrounds! Lively!
Our two older daughters grew up with similar sights as part of their daily life. However an experience in New Zealand in 1975 revealed they had assimilated the potential for violence behind all the costumes and sing-sings. We took them to a cultural exhibition in Rotorua one evening…as the Maori warriors came out with their traditional war cries, our two let out their own version of blood curdling yells. Exit of Cass mob promptly followed!
More recently we returned to Papua New Guinea for a visit and these merry makers from Milne Bay District show their traditional splendour at the annual Kenu and Kundu (canoe and drum) festival.
It’s likely that those genealogists travelling on next year’s Unlock the Past Cruise to Papua New Guinea will see some version of these celebrations by the welcoming and open Milne Bay people.
I wonder what merry making the other Sepians have been up to this week.Or are they waiting around for the fun to start like these competitive young men in their canoes.
Family history across the seas 
Great memories! As you say, the Unlock The Past cruisers should have a wonderful experience.
LikeLiked by 1 person
They should indeed.
LikeLike
As I read this a question about the possibility of seeing something like this on the cruise was on the tip of my tongue. Was very happy to see it may happen.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lyn, you won’t see see the Highlands one though I’ve read they do bring some down to Madang. I gather that now the cruises are going to Milne Bay they do something like this (possibly smaller scale) when the ships come in. The festival was an annual event until then, though it didn’t occur when we lived there.
LikeLike
Wonderful pictures. Loved the story about your daughters and their war cries. Kids do the darndest things! Whew.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks for dropping by La Nightingale. Yes it was a tad embarrassing 🙂
LikeLike
Looks spectacular!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Jo.
LikeLike
I really enjoyed this. Great Photos! I smiled when you spoke of your daughters and the prompt exit!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was pretty funny Sharon, but more so n retrospect 🙂
LikeLike
Lovely colourful photos and a great story about the youngsters!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Little Nell.
LikeLike