Western Highlands Province: Papua New Guinea's People and Provinces

Map of Papua New Guinea highlighting Gulf Province

Kerema is the capital of Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. It is located on the coast of Gulf of Papua. The Gulf region is aptly named for its concave costline with large deltas. The Gulf area is a riparian region were many rivers from the southern slopes of the highlands drain into.

History

James Chalmers, or 'Tamate' as the locals of Toaripi called him, was the first white man to land in the province. He first landed in Iokea in 1885. Cannibalism was a way of life for the fierce gulf people until the arrival of Christianity. Although head-hunting has not survived European civilisation, seven distinct styles of artistic craftsmanship have been categorised. A thriving market for carved masks, bull roarers, headrests, skull racks and gope boards keeps local craftsmen busy.

Culture and Tradition

Symbol representing the Gulf Province

The popular language spoken in Gulf Province is Torapi. The villages towards the East of Kerema from Hamuhamu to Iokea and inland to Moveave all speak Toaripi. The Gulf's traditional culture and knowledge was one of the first to be exposed to the outside world. Thus it was one of the first dying cultures, as outsiders mainly Christian missionaries have indoctrinated 80% of the coastal people to abandon most of their culture.

Industry

The Gulf area is blessed with many natural resources such as abundant marine life, rich jungle, sago, betelnut (buai), and many others. Currently oil explorations are showing positive results and it will be major income earner to the province. Fishing, logging and oil are the main industries, although betelnut and sago are the major cash crop for the local people. Gulf people supply 80% of the betelnut and sago to Port Moresby markets for cash.

Greenpeace activists paint 'Forest Destruction, Climate Crime, Moratorium Now' on barges of illegally felled trees waiting in Paia Port waterways to be loaded onto the 'Harbour Gemini' ship, currently occupied by Greenpeace activists, in the rainforests of the 'Turama extension' logging concession, Paia port, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea, Thursday 4th September 2008. These forests are being felled by Turama Forest Industries - a group company of Malayasian logging giant Rimbunan Hijau.

Twenty percent of global greenhouse emissions annually are caused by the deforestation of natural forests worldwide.