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Papua New Guinea View gallery (38 photos)

Melpa Tribesmen sent on 28 Aprile 2026 (11:20) by Roberto Pazzi. 4 comments, 148 views.

at 20mm, 1/100 f/4.5, ISO 200, hand held.

Melpa people (Papua New Guinea). HUMANKIND, my premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book featuring over 200 large-format photos. Available on my website: https://robertopazziphoto.com The Melpa people live in the highlands of Papua New Guinea, mainly around Mount Hagen in the Western Highlands Province. This area is characterized by rugged mountains and fertile valleys that make agriculture possible. Traditionally, Melpa society is organized into clans based on shared male ancestry. Clan membership determines land rights, social identity, and political alliances. Leadership is not inherited but achieved. Influential leaders, often called big men, gain status by building networks, organizing exchanges, and redistributing wealth. Social and political life has long revolved around relationships between clans, including cooperation and rivalry. The Melpa are primarily subsistence farmers. Sweet potato is their staple food and is central to daily life, along with taro, yams, bananas, and green vegetables. Men generally clear land and construct fences, while women are mainly responsible for planting, maintaining, and harvesting gardens. Since the twentieth century, coffee cultivation has become an important source of cash income. Pigs play a crucial economic and symbolic role in Melpa culture. They represent wealth, status, and social influence. The moka exchange system is a ceremonial cycle of competitive gift giving in which leaders present pigs and other valuables to rivals, who must later return even larger gifts. Through moka, leaders gain prestige and strengthen alliances. Although most Melpa people today identify as Christian, traditional beliefs and ceremonies remain important, and cultural festivals continue to express their identity. Website: https://robertopazziphoto.com Instagram: https://instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

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14 persons like it: Alberto Tirri, Andreamuscio, Anguar, Buttura Roberto, Fab0569, Gaetano Perego, Gaia Alessandro, Loribert, Luigi Torino, Lukeskywalker, Marmor, Nonnachecca, Silver58, Simoneperi1967

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Buttura Roberto

sent on 28 Aprile 2026 (11:28) | This comment has been automatically translated (show/hide original)

from a million applauses :-) :-) :-) :-)

Roberto Pazzi

sent on 28 Aprile 2026 (12:14) | This comment has been automatically translated (show/hide original)

Thanks Roberto!

MickPie

sent on 28 Aprile 2026 (12:52)

wow-wow-wow... fantastico!

Roberto Pazzi

sent on 28 Aprile 2026 (12:55) | This comment has been automatically translated (show/hide original)

Thanks MickPie!

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