Travel Photo(s) of the Week – Papua New Guinea – Goroka Show

Young Simbai Tribesmen

Each fall an amazing festival is held in Goroka, Papua New Guinea called the Goroka Show.  About 100 different tribes come to the event to showcase their amazing costumes and culture.  They use the word “sing-sing” to describe the sharing of their tribes music and dance.

The women and children of the Simbai tribe dressed up like the older men of their village.  As you can see in the photo above, balding heads, fake beards, and fat cigarettes were adopted by these teens.  One of the most humerous aspects is what you can’t see – the women were humorously exhibiting the typical male gestures of scratching and adjusting and spitting the betelnut juice everywhere.

Okay I couldn’t do this tribe justice with only one photo.  To really understand the humor of the Simbai at the  Goroka Show, you have to see the women and the toddlers all dressed up too.

Simbai women, Papua New Guinea

I would not want to run into these ladies in a dark alley.  Nor would I want to be surprised by this little fellow…

Simbai toddler, Papua New Guinea, Goroka Show

Where have you had a chance to experience tribal culture?