The Goroka Show is definitely happening this year! A few weeks ago the media reported that the 2009 Show was being cancelled due to lack of funds but somehow – somewhere – someone(s) – got their act together and the Goroka Show 2009 is definitely a go-er and scheduled for the 12th and 13th of September.
In fact I can personally vouch that the preparation of the grounds and building of stalls has commenced at the National Sports Institute (NSI) in West Goroka. The magnificence of Highlands bilas has to be seen and experienced to truly appreciate the level of detail and preparation that the participants go through to dress up.
A little bit of the Goroka Show’s history (courtesy http://www.gorokashow.com/)
The staging of the Goroka Show started back in 1957 at the Independence Park opposite the Goroka Main Market. It was first introduced and organized by Australian kiaps (patrol officers). kiaps from each district built round houses typical of their districts. It is they proudly displayed cultures of their districts. The kiaps brought in singsing groups from their area and as we have some twenty nine languages and societies it was reflected in their culture. It began as an entertainment weekend for everybody in the Province. It was also a competition to see which was the best organized and administered district.
It has remained that way and has become a national event in PNG’s calendar. The Goroka Show attracts tourists from within PNG as well as from all over the world.
The Eastern Highlands Cultural Show which is simply known as the “Goroka Show” is a significant event in the Province. the spin-offs to the people and business houses in the Province is appreciated. The show provides entertainment to the people of the Eastern Highlands and to visitors form PNG and overseas.
The Goroka Show is a probably the most known tribal gathering and cultural event in Papua New Guinea. It is held every year close to the Independence Day (16th September) in the town of Goroka. About 100 tribes arrive to show their music, dance and culture. This festival started in the mid 1950s from the initiative of missionaries. In recent years it became an attractive tourist destination because it is one of a few opportunities to see the traditional tribal culture.
These days the Goroka show is partly a tourist event, but it’s a rare opportunity for travellers to experience the customs of over a hundred tribes that populate the Papua New Guinea highlands. During the course of the weekend the tribes gather for music, dancing, showing-off and extraordinary displays of tribal rituals.
The highland town of Goroka is the venue for the alternate annual show that celebrates the culture of the indigenous tribes. In even numbered years only, the Goroka Show usually takes place on the weekend nearest Independence Day (16th September).
Not to be pidantic, but are those men in your second pic (I think from Bena if i have the head dress right) wearing bilas made from yarn? what happened to the purpur and the bare chests with pigs task and dog teeth?
I guss culture is never stagnant, but when are we crossing the line from traditional to modern or is it that we are continually adapting so we use what we have now to represent/compliment our past…
Rob, great pics though, I can already see that it has been too long since I saw a cultural show in PNG. Good to know Goroka show is still going ahead.
Weast
Weast,
Very observant! I can’t tell you for sure but you might be right (I borrowed the photo the are referring to!). Note that as with last year – entry fess for sing-sing groups will be free – the only thing is that they have to be traditional – no brass bands etc… I know what you mean – when seeing folks in bilas – bits of plastic – sunglasses and smoking – it’s not quite the same is it!
R
Great article and pictures … makes me want to get out there more than ever! I’m just going to have to save my pennies til I can make the journey. Is it now every year, instead of only even-numbered years?
Walt
Walt,
The Goroka Show is every year. You might be thinking of the Coffee Festival which falls every other year. There is also a new festival on the scene in Goroka – it’s called “Bilasim Skin Festival” which is held annualy a couple of weeks after the Goroka Show at the Raun Raun Theatre.
R