Culture – Madang
Madang Culture
North Coast
Malolo Plantation Lodge
A quarter of the world’s languages belong to Papua New Guinea and 25% of these are from Madang. No area in the world has such a variety of unique cultures.
Human contact with the Papua New Guinea mainland dates back 50,000 years. In Madang scientists have found evidence of human settlement near Simbai dated 12,000 to 15,000 years ago. Over the past 6,000 years sailors originating from Taiwan have traversed this area, leaving their mark in the languages which are distributed along the coastline amongst the villages of this area.
Madang boasts remote mountain communities, perched on ridges amongst the clouds, river people with stilt villages, coastal agriculturalists and deep sea fishing communities from the islands. Due to the relatively recent contact with the western world, many cultures and languages remain intact and people are continuing to live a similar traditional lifestyle.
The artistic side of traditional cultures offer visitors a marvelous array of artworks and performances. Sing-sings are regularly performed to the beat of Garamuts (slit drums) and Kundus (hand held drums) with the dancers brightly decorated with Bird of Paradise plumes, leaves and paints. Bamboo bands, utilizing the unique Madag bamboo base and guitars encourage more contemporary dancing. Village based theaters tell traditional stories and morality tales. Carvings of great variety and skill, clay pots, drums, bowls and kitchen utensils, bilum bags and weapons are still made in the traditional style and are available for purchase.
Malolo Plantation Lodge
Set amidst palm trees and lush tropical gardens overlooking volcanic islands in the Bismark Sea is a most magical and peaceful retreat – Malolo Plantation Lodge.
‘Malolo’ directly translated from Tok Pisin means ‘rest’ and the very nature of the lodge, its surrounds and the local people, ensure that one can do just that – relax. A most serene place where one falls asleep to the gentle lapping of the ocean and wakes to the morning calls of tropical birds.