Morobe show, the oldest Festival in PNG

While Mt Hagen Show, Goroka show have been commercially promoted over the years, Morobe Show is the oldest organized Festival in the country which started in 1959.
It was started as Agricultural show, and still now it plays a major role in public awareness of the cultivations, crops, diseases which are important for agriculture.

Apart from being the oldest, with more industry support, Morobe Show is one of the most organized festivals and Tourists can enjoy the various attractions including the traditional Sing Sing groups which come from all over the country.

For more image of traditional Sing Sing at Morobe Show, please check the following Morobe Show society site. http://www.morobeshow.org.pg/gallery/gallery-dancing.htm

The show is held on Saturday, 31st October & Sunday, 1st November.

Effect of Global Warming in Papua New Guinea

Carteret Atoll (Islands) have attracted much attentions from all over the world for their rising water level problem related to Global Warming.
In Nov 2005, news have spread the world that the Atoll will gradually become uninhabitable, with an estimate of their total submersion by 2015 and the islander will become the world's first refugees from the effects of global warming, although the No-Electricity/No-Gas/No-Vehicle islanders have not contributed to the World Carbon emission at all.
World TV News/Documentary crew flocked to the remote islands ever since.

Thanks to the media coverages, the name "Carteret Atoll" has become quite common among the environmentalists, NGOs and government officers in charge of environment in the world.

At the same time, it is also a fact that the majority of the Papua New Guineans have never heard of the islands or their problem, partly because of the isolated location of the Atoll, partly because the world media has not reached to most parts of the country, and of course, negligence by the succesive government.

So What is happening to the rest of the Papua New Guinea ?

Photo is one of the Motuan Villages in Central Province near Port Moresby.

Motuan used to live on the post house on the water but many have decided to live on the land due to many reasons, some obviously related to water level/high tide problem.

A house was built at the far end of the village but later most of the other houses were relocated to the land side and only one was left. Now with the fear of the high water level and isolation, the owner left the house.... villages are gradually moving towards the shore and further to inland.

Effect of Global Warming has not yet realized as a big threat in a daily life for most of Papua New Guineans but is steadily coming to the shore of Papua New Guinea.

Cuscus the shy Forest Animal of New Guinea

Papua New Guinea has slightly fewer species of Mammals than Australia, which is more than 10 times in land mass.
Among all, I believe Cuscus is one of the cutest ones, but for local people, it is one of the tastiest meat...
Cuscus is marsupials family (family related to Kangaroo & Koalas), slow moving animal which lives high in the jungle of New Guinea.
It is a shy nocturnal (moving in the night) animal so difficult to spot in the nature, but there is a chance if you walk the trek or stay in the village.

Sad News

We have received very sad news that Maggie Wilson has passed away.
She was a prominent business woman in a male-dominated Highlands society of Papua New Guinea, particularly known as an owner of Haus Poroman Lodge.
Born as a daughter of Gold miner from Australia, she was a living-history of "First-Contact Era" of New Guinea Highlands, business woman, politician & owner of arguably one of the Best Lodges in the country.
Personally, I have stayed about 3 weeks and learnt Tok Pidgin at Haus Poroman when I first came to Papua New Guinea in 1995. Even now, many people tell me that my Tok Pidgin is Kange (Mt Hagen) style, mainly owe to the people of Kunguma village. After 14 years, I vividly remember the friendly smile of Maggie, family & staff who made me at home.
Apart from language, I have also learnt a lot from Maggie and staffs of Haus Poroman (name itself means "house of friends"), how best we can treat international visitor with a true Melanesian hospitality in a professional manner.

Maggie, please be assured that your initiative has been inherited to many people and passed onto next generation.

Haus Poroman Lodge has been closed since 2007 but hope one day re-opened, so that we can visit our “home away home.”
May her soul rest in peace...

Note : As an alternative, "Hotel Poroman" in Mt Hagen town is run by her family member.

Palm Sunday PNG Style

This is Palm Sunday and we have seen many people walking on a street of Port Moresby with Palm Leaves. In Papua New Guinea, 95% of population is Christian in different denominations.
Our boy was dressed and face-painted with Sepik-style and photographed in front of the Palm Tree, Palm Sunday PNG Style !!