Mount Hagen Show, The

1965, 21 Minutes

In Papua New Guinea in 1963, various regional groups come together to celebrate their cultural heritage at one of the first Mount Hagen Shows, opened by Australia’s Governor General Lord De L’Isle.

Shot in 16mm this film records the splendid pageantry as thousands of men and women wearing full traditional costume and adorned with ‘bilas bilong singsing’ intermingle at the showground. Under elaborate headdresses and body paint, the men sing and dance to the mesmeric rhythm of their drums. Elsewhere, brass and pipe bands march and play rousing military airs and crowds wander round the sideshows. As well as the traditional dancing, they enjoy watching equestrian events, spear throwing competitions, cycle races and riding on the ubiquitous dodgem cars.

Produced by Information and Extension Services. © 2011 National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.