Kiriwina Island, Papua New Guinea

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Kiriwina is one of the most intact island cultures that reside in one of the world's most untouched islands.  It is located in Papua New Guinea's Milne Bay Province.  Kiriwina is the largest and by far the most populous of the Trobriand Islands.  In the matrilineal society women enjoy higher status than men. Also pigs are a I indicator of wealth.

Our view of this island was far different from all of the other islands.  We felt that this was a "contaminated " island that was caused byoutside people coming to their island and teaching them the ways of the outside world.  The people selling there items were mostly men and boys.  They wanted to barter with you and would follow you asking what was your best price.  Everything had a price.  Kids pushed you to take a picture with them and their turtle.  Men wanted you to pay to see their family skulls and bones.  They wanted money for you to touch their animal.  They were willing to take kina or Australian dollars.  They had to have been influenced by someone  who was teaching them how to sell.  The islands beauty seemed to disappear because of these "new founded business " natives. Since there were no banks on this island there was a person who would trade their Australian money into kina that could be used.....but there was a high price to pay.  

It seemed that so many of the children were forced into selling.  They would ride their boats to the wharf we were walking on to sell their wares or ask for money.  The island was beautiful with their large shade trees and crystal clear waters with white sandy beaches.  I don't believe we saw anyone asking for help for their schools or churches that was easily seen on the other islands. It was sad to see how these people were changed.  Hopefully this change will be to their benefit one day but all we saw were people whose smiles were disappearing and lacking happiness.  Their simple way of living seemed to be tarnished.