I Am Papua New Guinea

An Ongoing Project

Papua New Guinea is one of the world’s most culturally diverse countries.  It has 852 known spoken languages and a population of just over 7 million, with 85% of its inhabitants living in rainforests. The country of Papua New Guinea is one of the least explored culturally and geographically in the world.

In the late 20th century, headhunting and cannibalism were outlawed. However, they are believed to still be practiced today as a part of rituals related to warfare and the consuming of an enemy’s spirit and powers. It is believed that Michael Rockefeller came to his demise when he swam ashore after his boat capsized and was taken in by the Asmat Tribe. Michael was never seen again.

Overcome by curiosity, I have traveled the country photographing over 450 tribes, men and women from such tribes as the Asaro Mudmen, the Omo Masali Skeleton People, the Huli Wingmen, the Kuruwari Tribe the Hotwara Tribe, the Yenchan Tribe, the Sili Muli of Enga and the Huli of Hela just to name a few.

I have documented, by using photography in a very controlled lighting environment, and assembled what I believe to be the most expansive collection of photographs of the tribes of Papua New Guinea ever recorded. Historically, this work will become very important in the study of the social anthropology of Papua New Guinea, as Western civilization begins its inroads into this society.