Papua New Guinea Culture & Society

[JeffS]

Funny that I just saw this thread, I just got back from a meeting with an anthropologist where we discussed PNG culture in preparation for some field work that I will be doing there this spring and summer. I've not been there so claim no understanding as of yet, but if you let me know what aspects of PNG society and culture interest you, I would be happy to consult with this anthropologist and get recommendations of papers. "Throwim Way Leg: Tree-Kangaroos, Possums, and Penis Gourds-On the Track of Unknown Mammals in Wildest New Guinea" by Tim Flannery is fun read and may give you some insight, the focus is on biology but it is framed in a cultural context.

[A. G. Maisey]

I thank all of you for your responses and advice.

My query in this matter is not in any way related to weaponry, nor to art.

I have found myself in a position where I will be called upon to provide advice to somebody working at a high level within PNG government.

I have no knowledge of the mores and standards which apply with present day PNG society, nor does my client. Yes, I understand very well the diversity of tribal societies that are spread across PNG, and I do not need to understand in any depth this tribal diversity. What I do need to understand is the acceptable and non-acceptable ways for a person within modern PNG society to behave.

For instance, is direct eye contact to be avoided?

Is it adviseable to speak of oneself in the third person?

Should a woman invariably take second place in any discussion, no matter what her percieved societal position may be?

What is considered to be "personal space", ie, how close can a person stand to another person before it is felt that the personal space of one of those people has been compromised?

Does this vary with the sexes?

How is the physical act of touching another person used in normal conversation, the various types of touch, duration of touch, place of touch?

Major forms of body language?

Where is the line between "facilitation" and "corruption"?

Where is the line between "advice" and "direction"?

and so on, and so on, and so on.

Probably what I need are recommendations for anthropological texts or papers produced during the last 40 years or so, or even better, direct conversation with somebody from outside PNG society who has lived there during the recent past.

Dizos, I rather feel that you may be in a position where you could supply me with some leads. I'll followup on the Tim Flannery recommendation, he's always easy to read and usually entertaining.

Again I thank you all for your assistance.

Alan.

[fearn]

Hi Alan,

The couple of useful things to find out are:

a) the tribal affiliation of the PNG officials (religion will help too--they're probably Christian, but knowing whether they're Catholic, Baptist, or 7th Day Adventist will help)

b) the mores of Port Moresby and the government. In my limited reading, Port Moresby is a melting pot with some interesting social issues, and high PNG government types are often educated abroad as well. Since this is the environment you're working in, it's probably worth focusing on it.

I think Dizos probably has the good insights. It might also be worth seeing what you can learn from the missionary websites as well.

[JeffS]

PM sent!

[A. G. Maisey]

Thanks Jeff

--- Alan.