Western Highlands

Papua New Guinea

Western Highlands
Photo by Carol Hammer
Photo by Carol Hammer
Photo by Carol Hammer
Photo by Carol Hammer
Photo by Carol Hammer
Photo by Carol Hammer
Photo by Carol Hammer
Photo by Carol Hammer

Popular cities in Western Highlands

After travelling to over 50 countries in the last few years, there has been nothing that has had an impact on me as much as the Mount Hagen Sing Sing in Papua New Guinea. Every year, 50 to 100 different tribes arrive early in the morning to an open field. There, they don their face paint, beads, shell necklaces, grass skirts, and drums. Most importantly they construct their elaborate headresses on site. For example, the Simbu Traditional headress is one of the most colorful traditional headdreses in the Highland Region. The front feathers are from the red parrot feathers. The green ones in the middle are from green parrots feathers and on the top are the Stephanie’s Astrapia Bird of Paradise feathers. When all these feathers are put into place they are tightened by a headband made of bamboo or bush veins and decorated by cuscus fur or sometimes cassowary feathers. In Simbu tradition the Headdress plays a virtual role of identifying the status of a dancer in the society. The wealthy family is the one with more feathers and has the attractive headdress decorations. At noon, they enter the parade grounds. They beat their drums, chant, sing and march around the open field. Visitors are allowed to get “up and personal” and take as many photos as they wish. You’ll often see people lying on the ground to get a good shot of the headdress, only because they are often 3 ft. tall. It’s an amazing site! #FindingtheUniverse
Mount Hagen
Known for Mountains, Flowers and Culture
Trip time! Discover the mountains and culture in Mount Hagen.
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