Goroka Show held Independence Weekend 14th, 15th & 16th September, 2002

[aussie]

TRAVEL THROUGH THE FASCINATING HIGHLANDS OF PNG - By Steven Mago

It’s been called wild, rugged and isolated but these descriptions become positive statements when you consider its sheer beauty, pristine wilderness. It’s a natural wonderland and perhaps, the place in PNG that should rightfully be given the title of “most colorful region.”

I am talking about the Highlands of PNG, a land that still intrigues many other non-Highlands Papua New Guineans as much as travelers from overseas.

With its towering, cool, cloud-covered mountain peaks, deep gorges, evergreen valleys and fast-flowing rivers, it is the region in PNG that is still very much untouched and unexplored.

Its people, who make up a third of the country’s population of nearly 5 million, are colorful and industrious, most of whom still live in villages and are predominantly agriculturalists who livelihood very depends on their relationship with each other and the land that they have inherited.

There are 5 Highlands Provinces in Southern Highlands, Enga, Western Highlands, Simbu and Eastern Highlands. When you take the scenic Okuk Highway (formerly Highlands Highway) from the coastal Morobean port and city of Lae, you reach the Eastern Highlands first, whose capital Goroka enjoys a all year around cool, almost eternal spring-like climate.

Goroka is famous for the Asaro mudmen of the fertile valley of the same name and the world famous Goroka Show, held in September every year to coincide with PNG’s Independence anniversary on September 16th.


Touch down at Goroka Airport
Photographs taken by Robert Akepa