PNG: Food and Homes

Papua New Guinea is a beautiful country full of colour and friendly people and surrounded by lots of water!

Like many countries around the world, many people in Papua New Guinea live in different homes to us and enjoy eating different food.

Vegetables like tomatoes, lettuce, beans, and cucumbers are common.

Can you name the fruit and vegetables in this photo? Fruits like mangoes, pineapples, bananas, passionfruit, pawpaw and mandarins are enjoyed throughout Papua New Guinea. Can you name the fruit and vegetables in this photo?

These women are selling smoked tuna. Fish is one of the main sources of protein. Many people catch a whole variety of marine life from the sea. These women are selling smoked tuna.

Nuts are a good source of protein too. At the local market you would find bunches of peanuts like these available to buy for about 50c.

A common way to cook food in parts of Papua New Guinea involves wrapping food in large banana leaves and placing it on top of rocks that have been heated by fire. Like a hangi, this mumu takes a while and provides a smoky taste to the rice and vegetables.

Baby coconuts provide a refreshing liquid – called kulau.

Root vegetables like sweet potato (kaukau), taro and yams are staple foods.

Pigs and chickens are normally kept to eat during special celebrations such as weddings and birthdays.

Think of the food that you would normally eat during the week. How does it compare to the food enjoyed in Papua New Guinea?

Many homes in Papua New Guinea are built with natural materials. The roofs are made from hundreds of dried leaves.

Walls are generally constructed by wood and can have a tiling technique for strength that creates an eye-catching pattern.

Stilts are very useful for providing elevation in case of flooding but also much needed shade from the hot sun.

Window netting allows air flow while ensuring mosquitoes are prevented rom getting inside.

Some communities in PNG live on the very edge of the coast.

How does your home compare to the ones you have just seen? Would you like to live in Papua New Guinea?

Photo Credits: Michael Stewart and Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand