Raffaello Robbiani Photography | Papua New Guinea´s tribes

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RAFFAELLO ROBBIANI
PHOTOGRAPHY

A young man from the Huli tribe. This is possibly the biggest tribe in the country and it’s keen to keep its traditions despite the push of modernity. Young boys live with their mothers until they reach puberty, when they move to a separate home and are forbidden any contact with women until manhood.

Huli wigmen are very comfortable in the forest where they treasurers natural spots as they were divine gifts.

Papua New Guinea, 2023

Huli wigmen are characterised by their colourful makeup and rich headdress which is made of hair and adorned with birds feathers. Traditionally they used yellow and red clay to paint their face.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

The Bugamo tribe, best known as that of the skeleton men, is one of the many tribes that traditionally lives in the interior of the island. The origin of their body painting is hidden in the myth and has different versions. One legend has it that members of the tribe began to disguise themselves as skeletons to scare away ghosts that inhabited the forest while they went hunting.

Papua New Guinea, 2023

Children of the skeleton men pose for a portrait.

Papua New Guinea, 2023

Skeleton men (and a woman) from the Bugamo tribe putting up a performance.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

Skeleton men (and a woman) from the Bugamo tribe putting up a performance.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

A woman from the Komblo tribe in the Jiwaka province.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

A flute player and a dancer with his impressive headdress made of long feathers from the Komblo tribe in the Jiwaka province.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

Although they are mostly famous for the renown mudmen who wear their clay-made masks, the Asaro also use decorative garments made of coloured feathers.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

The flamboyant decoration of a Kalam tribesman. The headpiece can exceed one meter in length and is made of emerald beetle´s head meticulously set in rows. The necklace is made of kina shells.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

Portrait of a Foi tribesman. The Foi used to paint their faces with black, red and yellow with black especially used by warriors.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

A young boy from the Lower Mendi tribe.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

Two young boys from the Lower Mendi tribe during in a rainy day.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

Widows from the Huli people use to cover their face and body with chalk the day their husband die.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

A young wigman from the Huli tribe. Male youngster spend their coming of age among other males in preparation for their manhood. The wig is normally made of their own hair.

Papua New Guinea, 2023.

Tribes of Papua New Guinea

A journey through the highlands of Papua New Guinea meeting some of the many tribes who inhabit the island.

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