Mask Festival on the Volcanic Ash Plains
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Port
Rabaul, Papua New Guinea
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Activity Level
Moderate
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Excursion Type
All
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At
$119.95
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 2¼ Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Rabaul's people celebrate the spiritual realm of their ancestors with ritual, melody, chants, rhythm and movement.
Transfer to the Volcano Ash Plains for a traditional welcome. Your hosts will gift you a small locally-woven basket to take home. It contains two fathoms (a measure of length) of traditional shell money -- genuine currency that you can use to buy local soft drinks or kulau (fresh coconut).
Watch an amazing 90-minute Mask Festival-style presentation of folklore, with elaborate and colorful headdresses, exciting rhythmic chants, and action-packed dancing explained by your guide.You may also meet Tene Buai -- a member of a sacred order of dance artists protected by a hierarchical code that remains a mystery to the uninitiated. Many of the dance groups performing here abide by these strict codes. Each group is totally different in color, rhythm, texture, tune, decoration, masks, traditional headdress and attire. These are fascinating to watch.
The Mask Festival is held in a relaxed atmosphere. You are encouraged to explore the festival grounds -- a once-in-a-lifetime moment -- and take part in activities such as cooking using a ground oven, coconut leaf weaving, and making shell money. Don't miss the stunning display of traditional shell money used for bride price and kutu tabu (sharing of shell money when someone dies).
Keep your basket, but return any leftover shell money before you return to the pier, reflecting on the amazing display of culture you've just seen. Yoro ma catch mula -- see you again!
Notes:
Shade is limited; to avoid sunburn, wear light, long clothing suitable for use as a cover-up. Bring a hat and sunglasses; wear biodegradable/reef-safe sunscreen. Bring bottled water.