Photo. Scelleton dance performed by the Jiwaka tribe in Papua New Guinea.
The Jiwaka people come from the lush highlands of Papua New Guinea (PNG), in Jiwaka Province, a region with vibrant cultural heritage and stunning natural beauty. Deeply proud of their traditions, the Jiwaka have preserved ancestral customs that reflect their close ties to their land and community.
The skeleton dance is a striking tradition where performers paint their bodies with elaborate black-and-white patterns, transforming themselves into skeletal beings. Historically, the skeleton dance served as a form of psychological warfare designed to frighten rival tribes. By appearing as ghostly figures, something supernatural, the warriors tried to cause fear and confusion among their enemies.
Fortunately, for me these gestures reflected the good-natured and welcoming spirit of the Jiwaka people. I got on very well with the Jiwaka them. We had so much fun. Some of them like to scare me and my friend with aiming at us with bow and arrow, but it was nothing to worry about. It was just a practical joke!
Stein Morten Lund, November 2024
Additional information
Experiencing the dance created an illusion of ghosts come to life.
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