Meet the People of Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea's friendly faces, local lifestyle and cultural ties  

Papua New Guinea is truly the land of the unexpected and one of the world’s most culturally diverse countries. The majority of its four million inhabitants live in rural areas, rather than big cities, and more than 700 different languages are spoken. Thankfully, for U.S. travelers like me, English is one of four official languages, with the other three being Tok Pisin, Hiri Motu and Papua New Guinean Sign Language.

My visit to Papua New Guinea was timed during the Rabaul Mask Festival and the Pacific Games, which took place haphazardly in Port Moresby. Once out of the city, the real exploring began, with a deep dive into the island of New Britain. I got an up-close look at the Vulcan and Tavurvur volcanoes that covered the region in ash when it erupted in 1994, watched a fire dance in the Baining Mountains and took a dip in the Rababa Hot Springs with a group of rowdy local kids. Along the way, I had the honor of speaking with locals, from business owners to artisans and tribespeople. 

This video showcases the incredible people who call Papua New Guinea home. It’s a reflection of the spirit of Papua New Guineans and the tight connections locals have with their culture. 

My trip to Papua New Guinea was made possible by Travcoa and the Papua New Guinea Tourism Authority.