Mefenga Singsing Group, Daulo District, Eastern Highlands Province
The Mefenga tribe in their grass skirts, and matching grass tops, necklaces, and headdresses.
Author: travel67
The Man from Mamona
As you move away from a person it is more difficult to get eye contact and create a moment of connection between subject and photographer. In this photograph, however, the man stared right down the lens of the camera. At first glance this looks like an elderly frail man. Then you notice the veins on the muscles, the strength in his grip, and you realize he’s probably fitter and stronger than the guy on the other side of the camera.
Tokua Culture Singsing Group, Jiwaka Province
In some parts of Papua New Guinea you can still use certain shells as currency. The Tokua Culture group clearly held shells in high esteem as each wore multiple layers of shell necklaces that rattled as they danced.
Asaro Mudmen, Daulo District, Eastern Highlands Province
There were a few singsing groups from the Asaro Mudmen tribe. The men and boys were always covered with grey clay and wore the iconic masks, while the women were covered in brown clay. In this group, the women also had yellow and orange polka dots on their faces.
Andase Singsing Group, Kainantudis, Eastern Highlands Province
The Andase Singsing Group of Kainantudis. Simple natural tones created using leaves, grasses and shells made up their traditional dress.
Zenshu Toyama 富山 全秋 10th dan Goju Ryu Karate
Toyama Zenshu was born in Awase in 1936, he used to swim in the bay as a kid, and now at age 77, his dojo looks out over the same bay. He is still very strong and demonstrated with James how easily he could throw someone to the floor and dominate an encounter. His favorite kata (set forms) are sepia, suparenpei and saifa. When asked about his favorite kotowaza (idiom / words of wisdom) he said Mikan se no kasei which refers to the imperfection of vision or the inability to see what is right in front of you, like your eyelashes. Fearsome and powerful, but also a lovely friendly grandfather. Toyama-san gave James advice on how to dislocate a man’s jaw. He gave me a can of coffee and a hug.
Kunai Culture Singsing Group – Goroka Show, Papua New Guinea
The Kunai Culture Singsing Group with their red, black, white and yellow face paint gives them one of the most distinctive looks of the Goroka Show.
Satoshi Toyama 9th dan Goju Ryu Karate
Father and son shoot at the Toyama dojo on Sunday evening. Satoshi Toyama is 9th dan in Goju Ryu karate and now runs their dojo in Awase, Okinawa City.
The Sound of the Shell
Interesting to see another cultural parallel between Papua New Guinea and Okinawa. And remember, “Whoever holds the conch gets to speak.”
Tsuyoshi Uechi 8th dan Isshinryu Karate
Tsuyoshi Uechi, 8th dan master of Isshinryu karate. We photographed him at his dojo in Okinawa City. His preferred weapons for kobudo are sai, which as you might expect, he wields with complete control.
TRAVEL 67 : Chris Willson Photography 