National Mask Festival 2016

A staff of the Tourism Authority in East New Britain Province (ENBP), Emma Robinson, told Loop PNG: “When it all started, the National Cultural Commission was responsible for funding the event.”

As the name implies, the event aims to bring all the different masks of the different provinces of Papua New Guinea together in one place.

At around 5.03pm, the big men from the different districts of East New Britain gathered around to watch as a man danced around in circles with a spear in hand. This dancer was beckoning his onlookers to come and claim the spear. He wanted to see which of the men watching would be brave enough to do so.

“This ritual is important as it determines which district will be hosting the 2017 National Mask Festival, depending on who claims the spear and on behalf of which district,” said a member of the organising committee.

Dressed in black meri blouses and red laplaps, the women swayed as if in welcome of the oncoming canoes and their passengers. 

“We are the mothers of men who own tumbuans,” one of the women told Loop PNG.

By carrying these white cloths, the women were demonstrating how a mother cares for her baby.

In the Tolai society, when a man’s tumbuan makes its debut, the mother of the men who own these tumbuans perform this ritual as a sign of embracing the tumbuans and dukduks.

As they neared shores, the tumbuans and dukduks started performing their feats to the loud singing and chanting of the men that accompanied them.

The kinawai, a prelude of the National Mask Festival in Rabaul, East New Britain Province, began at 6.50am today.

“Unlike previous years, this year saw a neat orientation of the display of tumbuans,” said an onlooker.

The beach was filled with locals and tourists who strained to catch a glimpse of the magical cultural performance.