GETTING THERE

ACCOMMODATION – KUNDIAWA

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GENERAL INFORMATION

Simbu province is situated right in the heart of the highlands of PNG. It is where the great Bismarck (of which Mt Wilhelm - PNG's highest point above sea level-is a part of) and Kubor ranges merge into a rugged terrain of towering mountain peaks, majestic rocky outcrops, sheer limestone precipices and caves, and gushing rapids. In fact, the oldest rocks in PNG are weathered Miocene intrusives found only in Simbu province.

South of Gumine is a vast expanse of unexplored virgin rainforests that stretch all the way to the Gulf province. The fertile Karamui (accessable by plane) plateau lies in this region.

Early explorers, finding the word Simbu (or Chimbu) being used commonly throughout the province to indicate thanks and apreciation, named the area as such. But there are two broad language groups used by the people: the Kuman, which has the second largest no of speakers in PNG; and the Siane stock, which comprises a number of related dialects.

Precolonial Simbu had an obsidian mine at Gaima that provided fragments that were shaped into stone axes, and there was also a salt spring at Deri in Gumine where cooking salt was extracted. So you could say some form of neolithic trade did occur in times of peace.

As in other parts of the highlands,bride price and compensation ceremonies are important occassions in which pigs, birds of paradise plumes, shell money and now modern currency is exchanged. Such occassions are a time of dressing, singing and dancing in the traditional manner. The 'sing-sing' attire of the Simbu is among the most colourful in PNG. In addition, the traditional musical taste can be gleaned from the types of songs used for particular occassions, and the musical instruments they play. These are a 5-piece panpipe, a longish flute, jaws harp, and the famous 'Kuakumba' tube.

A suprising fact to note is that early explorers and missionaries noted and recorded that unlike all the coastal regions and some parts of the highlands, the Simbu did not practice cannibalism in the precolonial era.

PHOTO ALBUM