TRIBAL DESIGNS OF PNG

Here is a variety of face painting designs from various tribes of Papua New Guinea. Even though some are similar in color combinations, the detail remains unique as a personal expression of the bearer. The extensive use of bush material, bird feathers and bodies, knitted caps, couscous fur, clay, mud, dyes, plant materials, shells and bamboo to name a few is paramount in Papua New Guinean traditional costumes.

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Notice the use of Rainbow lorikeets on the head dress

Face paint renders the face more fierce, an effective way to scare enemies away.

Yellow and red are the signature colors of the Huli tribe

Notice the use of moss

A Tambul lady is dressed in a man's outfit

A man dressed in a woman's outfit

This Foi tribesman comes from a remote region of Southern Highlands Province. His black headdress is made of cassowary feathers.

This Foi tribesman from Lake Kutubu is applying traditional face paint

This lady proudly wears an entire Kina shell on her chest. Kina shells are valuable to this day. There were largely used as money of exchange before paper money appeared.

Young man from Simbu province.

The little "fan" on the front top is made of parrot feathers.

The traditional cap is handwoven and filled with dried grass to give it its shape.

The yellow necklaces are made of orchid stems. The feather across the face comes from the King of Saxony bird of paradise.

This man's headband is made of beetles.

Spectacular headdress from Simbu

Necklaces are made of various materials including the tusks of pigs.

This man's wig is made of his own hair. The Huli men are also called wigmen.

Lake Kutubu Foi tribesmen wear belts made of bamboo.

Face painting designs are specific to each tribe. Each individual has the flexibility to create his/her very own design.

Black, yellow, white and red adorn the flag of PNG today.

The use of sea shells extends deep into the interior of PNG.

Elaborate headdress include the use of Birds of Paradise feathers.

Simbu lady is adorned with kina shells necklaces and vibrant orange color feathers.

This Enga lady necklaces are made of natural beads and cuscus fur

Bugamo tribesmen decorate their bodies with design mimicking the body's inner bone structure.

Lake Kutubu's Foi tribesman wears a tree bark belt

This Hagen lady wears numerous seashells necklaces, one of Hagen's women tradition.

A Huli Wigman adorns his wig with bird of paradise and parrot feathers.

A Kandep man uses tree kangaroo fur as ear decorations