In the Trobriand Islands and other archipelagos in the region, an ancestral ritual – the Kula – lives on. It takes the form of an exchange of objects and is performed during ceremonial dances. The artefacts, vaygu'as, are most often jewellery. They are intended to be passed on, loaned and displayed, before being introduced back into the circuit. A source of prestige is associated with their handing on, they are surrounded by many legends. Maritime rituals: the carved canoes of Alotau The canoes of Milne Bay are masterpieces of craftsmanship, made from fig and iron wood using traditional techniques. They are renowned for their resistance to salt water. The hull, carved from a single tree, is decorated with richly sculpted and painted figureheads. This maritime art is passed down from generation to generation and celebrated at the annual Alotau festival. This winter of 2025-2026, PONANT will take you to the heart of the ancestral cultures of Papua New Guinea (itineraries pages 78 and 79). With over 700 ethnic groups, it is one of the most linguistically diverse countries in the world. Local communities are characterised by the durability of their customs and the preservation of multiple cultural identities. The Kula, an exchange of good practices Holosa masks, ʻghostsʼ of the warrior spirit Near Madang, the clay masks of the Asaro people are characterised by distorted human features, sometimes decorated with shells, horns or even pigs' teeth. Legend has it that these masks were used to terrify their enemies, but today they are worn by dancers who coat their bodies with clay. Protected by their masks, the ‘mud men’ act out combat scenes. 76Papua New Guinea, whispering archipelagos
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