Papua New Guinea Culture

Papua New Guinea's culture is complex and multi-faceted. There are more than a thousand cultural tribes in the land. This diversity has brought about varied cultural expressions such as dance, weaponry, art, songs, costumes, architecture and music.

Most cultural groups have their own dialects. Farming is the main livelihood of most villages. To supplement their food, the people rely on hunting and wild plants. The great farmers, hunters and fishers often get a high status in the community.

Sea shells used to be the currency in Papua New Guinea, although this has been abolished in some regions. In the regions when this is still the practice, sea shells are used to pay for bride price, pigs and cassowaries.

Those from the highlands engage in vibrant rituals called the "Sing sing." During the festival, the people paint themselves and doll themselves up with pearls, animal skins and feathers to represent trees, birds or mountain spirits. A musical festival is also regularly held to enact a legendary battle.

In the Sepik River, the people are famous for their woodcarving tradition, often in the guise of animals and plants representing ancestor spirits.