In the Tufi District the traditional way of life plays a very important role amongst the clansmen. The Supreme Authority is maintained by four major clans, namely Bedada-Bubu, Toru-Yariyari, Tewari and Gaso. There are many sub-clans within this structure each occupying blocks of land. Landowner-ship is also very important.
Many of the people live in isolated areas along the coast of Cape Nelson and on the slopes of Mount Trafalgar. Their sub-sistance village life allows them only to grow their gardens and go fishing in their outrigger canoes. Some areas are very active in arts and crafts. Oro pottery and Tapa cloth making is quite famous. Traditional “Sing-Sings” are performed for special ceremonial occasions.
There are no roads leading in to Tufi. The only way to get there is by domestic Airline from Port Moresby, or by boat from Popondetta. Due to the fact that Tufi is so isolated, there are no problems with “Rascals” and it is safe to walk around the Station, even at nighttime.
To find avenues to inject some capital into the Communities, meetings were held between the new managers of Tufi Dive Resort and the leaders of various villages. It was decided to establish a number of Tourist Attractions, such as village visits with traditional local lunch, Fjord Cruises, beach trips, nature walks and bush treks. Bird and Butterfly watching is also a unique attraction. A few local guesthouses can provide a village overnight stay with colourful traditional “Sing-Sing” performances.
It was during one of these meetings that the idea of staging an annual Tufi Cultural Festival was born.
The three-day festival will be hosted by Kofure Village, 10 minutes by boat from Tufi Dive Resort. The dates coincide with the famous Mount Hagen Show.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Various tourist attractions are available, such as Fjord Cruises, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, nature walks and bush treks.
- Day 2: Cultural Festival at Kofure Village.
- Day 3: Morning only is taken up with similar attractions as for day 1. Afternoon it is time to relax before flying back to Port Moresby.
Tufi Cultural Festival
Kofure Village will be the site for the festival proper. Visitors to Tufi Cultural Festival will be transported by traditional outrigger canoe from Tufi to Kofure Village for official welcome and opening ceremony at 9:00am.
At around midday traditional lunch with local seafood, mumu pig etc and traditional vegetables will be served, and accompanied by performances by the Tarama traditional dancing group from the Foroga clan, the Kabuni traditional dancing group, and the Sefoa and Kofure traditional dancing group (
Crucifixion Ceremonial performance).
The latter is the very old and traditional ceremony held by the war faring clans of the Tufi district whereby they crucify one of their enemy's slain warriors. This is a fearsome performance of great victory significance.
This will be followed by a modern theatre performance by the Maisin Taunombo Theatre Group, a theatrical group of young people recently trained in the arts.
The day will also feature a traditional Outrigger Canoe race will be held where the public is invited to participate if interested in traditional seafaring. The race will start at Tufi Dive Resort and finishes at Kofure Village to mark the official opening of the Festival.
Art And Craft Show
During the whole day there will be men and women from outlying Tufi District who will show their arts and crafts, which the visitors can purchase. They will give continuous demonstrations of how they make their arts and crafts. Several shelters will be built in the village to provide cover from the sun for these people as well as special shelters for the guests.
Demonstrations will be given in:
- Tapa cloth making
- Pottery making - the province is renown for their pots
- Traditional rope making for lines, fishing rope and nets.
- Basket weaving
- Fire making - how the local people make their own fires for cooking
- String bags (Billum) making etc
- Traditional cooking demonstrations with the local folk actually preparing the food which will be served for the official lunch for the guests
Please Note: This Festival is a very exciting concept for the local people. It will bring the clans together. It will facilitate the development of Tourist attractions for the district. At the same time it marks the opportunity to inject some capital into the community, which has been so neglected by its Government and its own people.
We feel confident that it will be a great success, a colourful show and above all the foundation to keep the culture of Tufi District and indeed the whole of PNG alive! The Tufi Cultural Festival, if a success, will be repeated as an annual event.
Tufi Resort supports the cultural shows of Tufi and helps as a facilitator for guest house bookings. However the responsibility for such events and accommodation of visitors in local guest houses lies entirely in the hands of the local village community.
How To Book
Please contact Tufi Dive Resort for all inquiries and bookings.
