Today’s Port Review comes to you courtesy of Orion Expedition Cruises.VISITED on Orion Expedition Cruises’ Papua
New Guinea expeditions, the Trobriand
Islands are a rarely seen 250 km² archipelago
of coral atolls situated off the eastern coast of
Papua New Guinea.
Most of the populat ion of 12,000 indigenous
inhabitants live on the main island of Kiriwina,
with small population groups on Kaileuna,
Vakuta & Kitava.
The island group is considered to be an
important tropical rainforest eco-region in
need of conservation.
The indigenous people of the area are
mostly subsistence horticulturalists living in traditional settlements, with a social structure based
on matrilineal clans who control land and resources.
Locals still participate in the regional circuit of exchange of shells called kula, sailing in
seagoing canoes to visit trade partners on other islands.
In the late twentieth century, anti-colonial and cultural autonomy movements gained followers
from the Trobriand societies.
When inter-group warfare was forbidden by colonial rulers, the islanders developed a unique,
aggressive form of cricket.
Although an understanding of reproduction and modern medicine is widespread in Trobriand
Society, their traditional beliefs have been remarkably resilient.
The real cause of pregnancy is always a baloma, who is inserted into or enters the body of a
woman, and without whose existence a woman could not become pregnant.
Authentic Trobriand Islands carvings are highly sought after and here you will f ind a selection of
exquisite quality and variety.
Many guests fall in love with the local Bagi shell necklaces and return to the ship proudly
displaying their latest purchases around their necks.
Exploring the island cruisers can see local gardens with crops of taro, yam, banana and
breadfruit, the staples of the islanders.
Nearing the village you will see a traditional Trobriand Yam House and once inside the village
there are many more.
Just near the far end of the village is the grave of the recently deceased Chief of Kitava.
The simple memorial is prominently positioned on the main path through the village.
A short Zodiac trip and you arrive at Nuratu Island.
Orion’s expedition team has found this a good snorkeling area with conditions invariably
perfect, water cool and inviting, and many brightly coloured fish among wide expanses of coral.
