Papua New Guinea Sing-Sing — Headdress Ceremony
203.73 $
A warrior from the Eastern Highlands at the Mount Hagen Cultural Show — full traditional headdress of Bird of Paradise plumage, shell pectoral ornaments, and ochre face paint, the ceremonial drum visible at his side.
Description
The Mount Hagen Cultural Show in Papua New Guinea’s Western Highlands Province gathers over 100 tribal groups for a two-day ceremony of competitive song and dance, producing the world’s most concentrated expression of Melanesian ceremonial dress in a single location. This portrait was made in the Eastern Highlands delegation area of the show grounds during the preparation period before the main arena performance, the subject in full ceremonial regalia: the elaborate headdress incorporating Bird of Paradise tail plumage, the shell pectoral ornament (kina) that communicates wealth status, the ochre and charcoal face paint of his tribal identity, and the kundu drum. Shot at f/2.8 on a 85mm prime in the available shade light of the assembly area, the headdress fills the upper half of the frame while the pectoral shells and painted chest occupy the lower.
