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The Gangs of Papua New Guinea

Best Documentary・2 minutes read

The Huli tribe in Papua New Guinea faces threats to its cultural traditions and land from international exploitation, with the country grappling with issues of poverty, violence, and corruption. Tribal violence, economic disparities, and challenges in law enforcement highlight the complex social issues in Papua New Guinea.

Insights

  • The Huli tribe in Papua New Guinea has a rich tradition where young men undergo a two-year initiation period, get their hair cut short by village elders, become eligible for marriage, and celebrate with a thousand-year-old dance.
  • Papua New Guinea faces significant challenges due to the exploitation of natural resources, leading to wealth distribution issues, extreme poverty, violence, and the endangerment of local traditions.

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Recent questions

  • What are the traditional customs of the Huli tribe?

    The Huli tribe in Papua New Guinea follows ancestral customs, with young men undergoing a two-year initiation period before having their hair cut short in a ceremony led by village elders. The young men, now without their headdress, are now eligible for marriage and celebrate with a thousand-year-old dance.

  • What natural resources are abundant in Papua New Guinea?

    Papua New Guinea, a land rich in natural resources like gold, copper, zinc, oil, and gas, has seen a property boom attracting investors, but wealth distribution issues have led to extreme poverty and violence. The exploitation of these resources has also led to environmental concerns and endangerment of local traditions.

  • How is violence addressed in Port Moresby?

    The capital city, Port Moresby, is plagued by violence, with local gangs causing havoc and making it the second most violent capital city in the world. The police in Papua New Guinea engage in a brutal war against gangs, with corrupt officers sometimes resorting to violence and abuse of power, showcasing the challenges in maintaining law and order.

  • What are the economic activities in Asaro village?

    The village of Asaro relies on agriculture, particularly the cultivation of sweet potatoes, as a profitable crop. Additionally, locals engage in illegal alcohol production, with Eric producing strong alcohol from bananas and oranges, as well as growing cannabis to supplement his income, highlighting the economic struggles and risks faced in Papua New Guinea.

  • How prevalent is domestic violence in Papua New Guinea?

    Domestic violence against women is prevalent in Papua New Guinea, with 80% of men admitting to beating their wives and one in two women experiencing rape in their lifetime. Cases like Lydia's, a 20-year-old woman seeking refuge after abuse, shed light on the lack of safety for abused women and the challenges in addressing and preventing domestic violence in the country.

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Summary

00:00

Papua New Guinea: Tradition, Violence, Exploitation

  • The Huli tribe in Papua New Guinea follows ancestral customs, with young men undergoing a two-year initiation period before having their hair cut short in a ceremony led by village elders.
  • The young men, now without their headdress, are now eligible for marriage and celebrate with a thousand-year-old dance.
  • The Huli chief is concerned about the exploitation of the country's forests by international companies, leading to the rapid destruction of the forests and endangering Papuan traditions.
  • Papua New Guinea, a land rich in natural resources like gold, copper, zinc, oil, and gas, has seen a property boom attracting investors, but wealth distribution issues have led to extreme poverty and violence.
  • The capital city, Port Moresby, is plagued by violence, with local gangs causing havoc and making it the second most violent capital city in the world.
  • The police in Papua New Guinea engage in a brutal war against gangs, with corrupt officers sometimes resorting to violence and abuse of power.
  • Jack, a notorious mafia boss, specializes in stealing luxury cars and has a network of accomplices to execute his plans.
  • Jack's gang has an in-house gunsmith named John, who produces homemade weapons for the gang, which have been used in violent crimes, including against police officers.
  • The tribal violence in Papua New Guinea is fueled by the rapid disappearance of local traditions, with ethnic wars causing significant casualties.
  • Cultural festivals in Papua New Guinea, like the one in Goroka, aim to preserve traditions and provide income for tribes, but the commercialization of these events makes them unaffordable for many locals.

21:24

"Tourism and Trade in Asaro Village"

  • At a local gathering, merchandise like photos, traditional weapons, pottery, and mud men figurines are sold.
  • To ask a question at the gathering, one must purchase a mud men figurine for about 10 kina.
  • Locals can attend the festival at a reduced rate of 3 euros per ticket at 1:00 p.m.
  • The mud men community in Asaro sells folklore to tourists for 200 kina.
  • The mud men perform for tourists to earn money, relying on tourism for income.
  • Sweet potatoes are a profitable crop in Asaro, with one bag selling for 50-70 kina.
  • The village of Asaro lacks electricity and drinking water, leading to an illegal alcohol production activity.
  • Eric in Asaro produces strong alcohol from bananas and oranges, selling it for 4 euros per liter.
  • Eric also grows cannabis to supplement his income, facing risks in Papua New Guinea.
  • The Gold Club in Port Moresby charges 7 euros for entrance and 4 euros for half a pint of beer, catering to the elite with slot machines generating thousands of euros nightly.

39:54

Violence and Corruption in Papua New Guinea

  • In Papua New Guinea, domestic violence against women is prevalent, with 80% of men admitting to beating their wives and one in two women experiencing rape in their lifetime.
  • Lydia, a 20-year-old woman, seeks refuge at the Salvation Army shelter after being abused by her husband, highlighting the lack of safety for abused women in the country.
  • Despite reporting cases of domestic violence, like Lydia's, to the police, investigations often do not lead to any action, with over 75% of cases not resulting in any consequences.
  • Police corruption is rampant in Papua New Guinea, with officers often accepting bribes for minor infractions, showcasing a system of racketeering that benefits civil servants.
  • Gang leaders, like Jack, work closely with corrupt police officers to carry out illegal activities, with bribes being a common practice to avoid legal consequences.
  • Gang leaders maintain a code of silence among their members, emphasizing the importance of not revealing any information to the police to avoid repercussions, showcasing a culture of fear and secrecy within criminal groups.
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