Traditions of Goroka
A highlands town where each September the show brings together dozens of clans in feathers and paint.
Goroka is the capital of the Eastern Highlands province of Papua New Guinea. Over 800 languages are spoken in the country, and people in the highlands keep distinct styles of dress, ritual and song, with the singsing, a gathering for dance, at the centre of life. Each September the Goroka Show shows it to the world.
The singsing
Groups from different clans paint their faces, wear headdresses of bird of paradise feathers, and beat hand drums, kundu. The Asaro Mudmen wear clay masks with a story of surprising their enemies. The show began as a way to bring tribes together peacefully, and has become a major cultural event.
At the table
Sweet potato, kaukau, is the staple of the highlands, cooked in an earth oven mumu with pork, greens and banana. Pigs are wealth and are exchanged in marriage and in feasts. Highland coffee is grown by smallholders and is among the country's famous exports.
Signature traditions of Goroka
Also part of it, and being written: Asaro Mudmen (The clay mask dancers.), Papua New Guinean cuisine (The earth oven feast.), Sing-sing (The dance gathering.).
A trail idea for Goroka
- Goroka Show grounds Attend in September.
- Raun Raun Theatre A theatre group telling local stories.
- Highlands coffee farms Meet growers.
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Opening hours, markets and festival dates change; check locally before travelling. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
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