Independance Day Celebrations 2013

A Sing Sing is a special experience, because the present day modern meets with the wild of the older days. Clothed with little more than grass skirts men and women dance in a way, that not only seems strange for European eyes, but also make you want to run away and hide. But putting the spear down, they reach for the mobile phone and tell some relative at the other end of the country how Rumginae celebrations are going on.
Traditions that less than 50 years ago where still part of everyday life is labelled "culture" today. At least this was the main topic of the Minister's speech. He went as far as to say that people who do not know how to make a Kundu (traditional drum) have no culture and are certainly no citizens of PNG, and thus should not receive any benefit payments. I had to wonder, how many Swiss still know how to carve an Alphorn and master the yodelling – and how much benefit money the Swiss government could save it made one the requirement for the other.

Female dancers in action

Dancers with Kundu (drum)

Abundantly sparse clothing

Beard and Bow

Elaborately clothed

Grass Skirts

Dual Tone

Dancer with Head Dress

Bird(feathers) as decoration

Dancer with Head Dress

Face Painting

Back Painting

Back Trinket

... and more backs

Spectators as Attraction

... and after the heat the rain

On the way home

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Here some pictures from Niklas:

Niklas' Interpretation of the Celebrations

Dancers preparing

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Birth Announcement Lucien Marc

Lucien Marc Bischoff

Baby #4 has arrived

Today at about 4pm our 4th family member and 3rd son has arrived at Rumginae Hospital. Lucien Marc is 6lb 4oz and 19.3in. Lucien and Madeleine are both doing well.

Lucien Marc

The Other Day at 1000 Feet ...

The other day, while flying to Lake Murray under a low cloud cover, I felt a tap on my shoulder and one of the passengers handed me the following note he had written on a scrap of paper:
"Sir, could you give signal to my family in this village to bring my motor [boat]. I did not call them. If you could circle the village once x only. Thanks."
I looked back to see the man pointing out the window to the little village we were just passing. As we were flying at 1000 feet only I gathered that people might actually notice and with a chuckle banked the plane to "signal his family".

The shores of Lake Murray