Editing Papua New Guinea (section)

== Culture ==
{{main|Culture of Papua New Guinea}}
[[File:PNG Bilum Bag QM r.jpg|thumb|left|[[Bilum]] bag from [[Goroka]], Eastern Highlands Province]]
[[File:Papua New Guinean.JPG|thumb|A resident of Boga-Boga, a village on the southeast coast of mainland Papua New Guinea]]
[[File:Thiafamous 4318b.JPG|thumb|left|[[Asaro Mudmen]]]]
[[File:Abelam wooden ancestor figure 2 CAC.JPG|thumb|upright|A 20th-century wooden [[Abelam]] ancestor figure (''nggwalndu'')]]

The country remains greatly fragmented, with strong local identities and allegiances that often contrast with a weak [[national identity]].<ref name="May2022chapter2"/>{{rp|21–22}} It is estimated that more than one thousand cultural groups exist in Papua New Guinea. Because of this diversity, many styles of cultural expression have emerged. Each group has created its own expressive forms in art, dance, weaponry, costumes, singing, music, architecture and much more. Most of these cultural groups have their own language. People typically live in villages that rely on subsistence farming. In some areas people hunt and collect wild plants (such as [[Yam (vegetable)|yam roots]] and [[karuka]]) to supplement their diets. Those who become skilled at hunting, farming and fishing earn a great deal of respect.

[[Seashell]]s were a common currency before 1933. They still retain ceremonial value, for example a [[bride price]] may be paid with golden-edged clam shells.<ref>{{cite web |title=Papua New Guinea – culture |work=Datec Pty Ltd |url=http://www.datec.com.au/png/culture.htm |access-date=16 December 2005 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990210114159/http://www.datec.com.au/png/culture.htm |archive-date=10 February 1999 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In other regions, the bride price is paid in lengths of [[shell money]], pigs, [[Cassowary|cassowaries]] or cash. Elsewhere, it is brides who traditionally pay a [[dowry]].

The culture of traditional Melanesian societies sees small communities led under a [[Big man (anthropology)|"big man"]]. These are often considered to be positions earned through merit and societies are thought to be relatively egalitarian, although at times hereditary influence does play a role, and there are varying social stratifications in addition to differences relating to age and gender. Broadly, highland societies were likely more individualistic than lowland societies.<ref name="May2004chapter9"/>{{rp|207–209}}

People of the highlands engage in colourful local rituals that are called "sing sings." They paint themselves and dress up with feathers, pearls and animal skins to represent birds, trees or mountain spirits. Sometimes an important event, such as a legendary battle, is enacted at such a musical festival.

A distinct body of [[Papua New Guinean literature]] emerged in the leadup to independence, with the first major publication being ''[[Ten Thousand Years in a Lifetime]]'', an autobiography by [[Albert Maori Kiki]] published in 1968.<ref name="May2004chapter18">{{cite book |author=R.J. May |date=May 2004 |title=State and Society in Papua New Guinea: The First Twenty-Five Years |publisher=ANU Press |isbn=9781920942052 |doi=10.22459/SSPNG.05.2004 |doi-access=free |url=https://press.anu.edu.au/publications/state-and-society-papua-new-guinea |chapter=18. Nationalism and Papua New Guinea Writing}}</ref>{{rp|379}} The government began to actively support literature in 1970, publishing works in multiple languages. Much of this early work was nationalistic and anti-colonial.<ref name="May2004chapter18"/>{{rp|381–384}} 1970 saw the beginning of some local newspapers, as well as the publication of the first Papua New Guinean novel: ''Crocodile'' by [[Vincent Eri]].<ref name="May2004chapter18"/>{{rp|84}}

The country possesses one [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]], the [[Kuk Swamp|Kuk Early Agricultural Site]], which was inscribed in 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/887|title=Kuk Early Agricultural Site|first=UNESCO World Heritage|last=Centre|website=whc.unesco.org|access-date=23 May 2018|archive-date=24 May 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524003650/https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/887|url-status=live}}</ref> The country, however, has no elements inscribed yet in the [[UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Lists]], despite having one of the widest arrays of intangible cultural heritage elements in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ich.unesco.org/en/state/papua-new-guinea-PG|title=Papua New Guinea – intangible heritage – Culture Sector – UNESCO|website=ich.unesco.org|access-date=23 May 2018|archive-date=3 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180703184006/https://ich.unesco.org/en/state/papua-new-guinea-PG|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Failed verification|date=May 2025}}

=== Sport ===
{{Main|Sport in Papua New Guinea}}

Sport is an important part of Papua New Guinean culture, and [[Rugby league in Papua New Guinea|rugby league]] is by far the most popular sport.<ref>{{cite news |last=Hadfield |first=Dave |title=Island gods high in a dream world |work=[[The Independent]] |date=8 October 1995 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/island-gods-high-in-a-dream-world-1576603.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220524/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/island-gods-high-in-a-dream-world-1576603.html |archive-date=24 May 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |access-date=6 October 2009}}</ref> In a nation where communities are far apart and many people live at a minimal subsistence level, rugby league has been described as a replacement for tribal warfare as a way of explaining the local enthusiasm for the game. Many Papua New Guineans have become celebrities by representing their country or playing in an overseas professional league. Even Australian rugby league players who have played in the annual [[State of Origin series]], which is celebrated every year in PNG, are among the most well-known people throughout the nation. State of Origin is a highlight of the year for most Papua New Guineans,{{Citation needed|date=May 2025}} although the support is so passionate that people have died in violent clashes supporting their team.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/three-dead-in-png-after-state-of-origin-violence-20090626-cywd.html |title=Three dead in PNG after State of Origin violence |publisher=BrisbaneTimes.com.au |date=26 June 2009 |access-date=27 June 2010 |archive-date=13 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110513143005/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/world/three-dead-in-png-after-state-of-origin-violence-20090626-cywd.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Papua New Guinea national rugby league team]] usually plays against the Australian Prime Minister's XIII (a selection of NRL players) each year, normally in Port Moresby.

Although not as popular, [[Australian rules football in Papua New Guinea|Australian rules football]] is significant in another way, as [[Papua New Guinea national Australian rules football team|the national team]] is ranked second, only after Australia. Other major sports that have a part in the Papua New Guinea sporting landscape are [[netball in Papua New Guinea|netball]], [[Football in Papua New Guinea|association football]], [[Rugby union in Papua New Guinea|rugby union]], [[basketball]] and, in eastern Papua, [[cricket]].