on December 14, 2006
Depending on where a contestant is from, they are outfitted with an assortment of plumage from Birds of Paradise and Cassowaries, sea shells traded in from the coast, and animal furs, bones and teeth (typically from Tree Kangaroos, the lemur-like Cuscus and Boars). The effect is further enhanced by facial piercing and painting with a wide variety of colours and pigments derived from ochres, clay and lime. A white head feather is the symbol that the wearer is a full warrior.
This typical stocky Highland warrior is adorned with the usual multi-layered skirt in front with a sheaf of grass covering his backside. Bows and arrows are commonly carried around even during normal activities, as I saw on many of my trips to the Highlands. The other photos show typical adornments on the bare-breasted female participants, including Tree Kangaroo tail or Cuscus fur adornments. It really was quite something to be able to see these festivities taking place, especially considering that it was only just over 40-years since Westerners in significant numbers penetrated these remote mountainous areas of PNG!
