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 people are known for rich cultural heritage endowed in the spiritual realm of their ancestors and passed down from generations. A culture driven by ancestral spirits portrayed by ritual, melody, chants, rhythm and movement. Unite with the people of Rabaul to celebrate a unique and fascinating culture.
Board the bus at the pier for a short transfer to Volcano Ash Plain. Arrive to a traditional welcome, and receive a locally-woven basket (a gift for you to take home) containing traditional shell money, known as tabu in the local language. The two fathoms (a measure of length) of shell money is also in your basket can be used to buy assorted goods like such as local soft drinks or kulau (fresh coconut) at the designated area in the festival grounds. Rabaul is known for the use of a dual currency and our local shell money is still widely used today. As well as purchasing refreshments, look out for a further opportunity to use shell money for a traditional purpose!
You will see 45 minutes of amazing dance groups, elaborate and colourful head dresses, exciting rhythmic chants and action-packed dancing, with commentary from a local guide.
You may also meet one of the Dance Masters (Tene Buai) who is member of a spiritual realm of dance artists. Traditional dance is a sacred activity here with many aspects of preparation and performance protected by codes of secrecy, remaining a mystery to the uninitiated. Many of the dance groups performing here abide by these codes.
After the break, there is another 45 minutes of action packed dancing by a different traditional dance groups. Be camera ready, these groups are totally different in colour, rhythm, texture, tune, decoration, traditional head dresses and attires, which are fascinating to watch.
The festival is held in a relaxed atmosphere - you are not just there to see a dance performance! As the program continues you are encouraged to walk around the festival grounds, capture the once-in-a-lifetime moments - maybe ‘selfies’ with friendly locals - with your camera and take part in the other activities on offer.
You can witness some traditional activities such as cooking using a ‘ground oven’, coconut leaf weaving and shell money preparation. A stunning display of traditional shell money (Tabu) display, as used in important ceremonies such as bride price, kutu tabu (sharing of shell money when someone dies).
At the end of the Festival, you are welcome to keep your basket and however we kindly as for you to return any leftover shell money as you rejoin your bus to be returned to the pier. Your guide will be available to answer any questions from your experience, otherwise relax and reflect on the amazing display of our culture you’ve just seen. As we say in the local language - yoro ma catch mula (see you back again)!