Another review that gives less than the full picture

Weheart.co.uk

Occasionally (not often) in PNG Attitude we republish an article that demonstrates great ignorance about Papua New Guinea – although earlier this week we chose not to reproduce a sleazy London tabloid piece ostensibly on cannibalism, which has led to much comment in the PNG blogs. After all, there’s only so much a man can bear. But it does assist to remind us who are perhaps a little more knowledgeable about PNG of what is being said and written elsewhere in the world - KJ

USING VIVID MONOCHROME PHOTOGRAPHY and interviews with raskol gang members, Stephen Dupont paints a terrifying picture of a society in meltdown, of unemployment, poverty, corruption and killing...

This looks like one to cross off the holiday wish list. Papua New Guinea’s capital Port Moresby is universally regarded as one of the worst places on earth.

Lawlessness to shame the Wild West is in full force; gangs of criminals, known in the local dialect as raskols, roam the streets engaged in bloody warfare with each other.

Fair play to Aussie documentarist Stephen Dupont for going anywhere near the place.

Raskols: The Gangs of Papua New Guinea, soon to be published by powerHouse Books, is Dupont’s study of his time there in 2004.

Normally thought of as a place of exceptional beauty, forests and unmodernised tribal living, the capital was at the time of Dupont’s visit the world’s most unliveable city according to the Economist.

The book’s foreword gives a brief history of the circumstances that led to such a state of affairs, and from then on the images do the talking, occasionally etched with quotes from those he photographed. Powerful stuff.

Comments

[Liam Creedon]

Liam Creedon is the Press Association’s wildlife writer and regular travel writer, having previously worked as a political reporter in the House of Commons. He is also Head of Press at Butterfly Conservation – the UK wildlife charity for Butterflies and Moths and edits Butterfly Conservation’s members’ magazine – Butterfly. He offers a different view of PNG....

Hair-care tips from Huli Wigmen and breath-taking views of Ribbon-tailed Astrapia vied for the title of trip highlight during my PNG tour.

Flying into the mist-fringed Tari Gap heralded my introduction to the cultural smorgasbord of the Highlands.

Village elders painstakingly explained Huli traditions and the secrets behind their vibrant ceremonial costumes while the importance of wig making in the area was laid bare at the Huli Wig School.

The wildlife of the Highlands proved equally compelling as Blue Bird of Paradise and Long Tailed Astrapia flitted around the canopy of Ambua Lodge.

Then onto the tropical warmth of the Bismarck Coast and the pearl of the Pacific – Madang.

Malolo Plantation Lodge proved a relaxing base to explore a diverse area boasting a myriad of languages and rich history.

But you can’t visit Madang without exploring its wonderful underwater wildlife and a snorkelling trip of the coral cay Tadwai Island revealed virulently-coloured fish and corals straight from the cast of Finding Nemo.

Papua New Guinea proved a wonderfully engaging location with warm hosts, outstanding natural riches and mesmerising cultural history.

[Peter Kranz]

The Star newspaper in the UK is one of the worst rags ever. They regularly print complete rubbish (their latest headline is about the man with the world's biggest penis who can't see his feet when he looks down) that gives you an idea of their idea of journalism.

Also Elvis is alive and a B52 bomber has been sighted on the moon (really). Sad thing is that some Poms keep buying it.

Best forgotten as quickly as possible.

Av a good weekend!