PNG contemporary cultural dances in modern day - Is our cultural dances and traditional attires dying out slowly or are they changing?

PAPUA New Guinea is a country of more than 840 different tribes. Their cultures are distinctively so unique and different from each other. They speak completely different languages but they are Papua New Guineans - one nation. The cultural diversity is a pride to Papua New Guineans and each year on the 16th of September, they gather to celebrate the country's independence.

They sing and dance to the chants of their own, in their own languages, more than 840 different languages.

The year 2016 brought the nation its 41 independence. Again they dance and chant to celebrate the day. Over the years, the cultural dances, its chants and traditional attires have changed. This is an indication that the country is losing some of its traditional cultures and dances. 

In the selections of random photographs below, you will notice some changes in the way the girls from Enga (one of the provinces in Papua New Guinea) have dressed. Modern dressing elements are evident their traditional dressing. Take this as an example of the other 840 cultures of PNG which are changing.

Its PNG Contemporary Culture! Are we loosing the traditional values? Are we changing too fast?

Happy viewing!

Engan girls at Ela Beach for the 41 independence celebrations.

 Photo: Nangu Gomo, 16th Sept 2016.

Girls from Kandep in Enga Province, Papua New Guinea. Picture taken by Sharon during the 33rd PNG Independence Anniversary celebration. 2008. 

Image: Mathew Yakai blog

From Porgera Enga province in Papua New Guinea during the 33rd independence anniversary celebration on 16th September, 2008. Image: Mathew Yakai blog

PAPUA NEW GUINEA | Wednesday, 22 September 2010.

 Image: Mathew Yakai blog

PAPUA NEW GUINEA | Wednesday, 22 September 2010. 

Image: Mathew Yakai blog

Enga young at the Enga Cultural Show, 2014. Image: Supplied. 

Engan young girl in 2012. Photo: supplied.

St. Peter's Primary School students in Port Moresby on the 38th independence celebrations in 2013. Photo: Port Moresby blog

St. Peter's Primary School students in Port Moresby on the 38th independence celebrations in 2013. Photo: Port Moresby blog

Engan girls at Ela Beach for the 41 independence celebrations.

 Photo: Nangu Gomo, 16th Sept 2016.

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PNG's 41 Independence Day concedes with the 60th Goroka Cultural Show - 2016

by JEFFREY ELAPA

THE 60th Goroka Cultural Show and 41st PNG Independence will showcase some of the country unique and alive cultures and traditional that is never found anywhere in the world.

Cultures and traditional values and practices from around the 22 provinces is now displayed and showcased to thousands of people including more than 500 foreign tourists who flew in as early as Monday this week.

Traditional signsing groups from as far the famous Huli wigmen from the resource rich Hela province to traditional dancers from the beautiful Manus conversed for one of the country’s oldest shows ever.

While the different cultural practices is going, several other entertaining activities is going on while others will followed before the show ends at 3.30pm this afternoon.

The second day program now started with pillow fight and that is followed by target shooting using traditional bows and arrows when the show started at 10.00 am this morning.

These activities were followed by tug of war at 11 am and wood cutting.

Starting at 1pm today, activities like catching a greasy live pig will be on to allow the public to catch the pig and win it.

This will be followed by greasy pole climb, a contest for people with the ability to climb greasy pole to collect free household items including mattresses, pillows and pots among the many other prices placed on the top of the pole.

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For next year 2017 September, the festival will be even bigger and better. To book or for more information about the event in 2017 - contact the blogger or the show committee.

Random photographs below are from the celebrations in 2016, September.

Happy viewing!

Source: Post Courier