General View of Madang

Madang Province is the most popular location in Papua New Guinea for divers and consists of reef-fringed lowlands, backed by some of the most rugged mountains in Papua New Guinea and offshore volcanic islands. The colourful Madang Township has been called the "prettiest town in the South Pacific".  Its peninsula setting is a show-place of parks, waterways, luxuriant shady trees and sparkling tropical islands.

Perched on a fertile peninsula, with a backdrop of steep mountains and lush tropical vegetation, the town of Madang looks across a scattering of perfect islands, dotted through a tropical deep water harbour. Known as one of the South Pacific’s most beautiful, the harbour boasts Kranket and Siar Islands, two of the most popular spots for swimming and the still blue waters. There is good fishing and diving along the magnificent coast, which is world famous for its coral gardens and superb visibility. Madang was the centre of heavy fighting during World War II, and there are war equipments that are left behind which attracts tourist.


 The town has modern urban facilities, including hotels, department stores, bustling markets and historical artifact shops and displays in the Cultural Centre. Madang is a key destination for meetings and conferences.

MADANG as it is always known by the locals as the place where:
            Memories
            And
            Dreams
        Are 
        Never
        Gone

 

Types of Languages used in Madang

                                         

Linguistically, Madang province is typified by a large number of very small language groups, many with fewer than 1,000 people. Austronesian sailors settled on this coast some 5 to 6,000 years ago and the languages of these intrepid but largely unknown sailors are found along the coast of the province. Lukep, Gedaged, Manam and Bilbil languages are examples of this. Inland, the Katiati, Hinihon and Saki  languages are examples of Papuan (non-Austronesian) languages found in the region. The Ramu river languages include Gamei, Giri, Tangu, Romkun and Igana and the Rai Coast languages include Somau Garia and Usino. The volcanic island of Karkar is unusual in that it is shared by the Papuan language Waskia and the Austronesian language Takia. Background is Karkar Ialand the people from the front part of the island speak Takia language and the people from the back part of the island speak Waskia language.

Provincial Flag and a Brief History of Madang

                                             

Red, yellow and black stripes (representing the national flag) form the background. Six white stars represent the 6 districts. In black and white, Madang's memorial to the Coastwatchers of the Second World War is surrounded by coconut palm branches (for agriculture) and a slit drum (for tradition)..Papuan peoples have been in the New Guinea region, including Madang Province for at least 40,000 years. They mainly settled the inland regions. Austronesian settlers arrived 3,200 years ago, settling along the coastline and on the islands of Madang Province. Shards of ancient pottery from unknown cultures are regularly dug up, demonstrating the extraordinary cultural fluidity of the region. Austronesian people sharing a similar indigenous language known as ‘Bel’ in Madang were renowned sailors & traders. They constructed the best clay pots in the region and traded these on large sailing canoes. Pre- European history is told through myths and legends. The creation story of Manub & Kilibob, two brothers who brought language, culture and law to the Madang People, is told with great variety along the coast and inland. In many versions, Kilibob & Manub fight with each other. Kilibob was said to have constructed a boat and left Madang, promising to one day return. The Austronesian people of Madang have another shared myth, tracing their origin to an island named ‘Yomba’, which sank into the sea. Researchers have begun to uncover elements of truth in this story, as evidence exists to suggest the now submerged Hankow Reef was once a large volcanic island, which may have sank in a cataclysmic event......

Now is your chance to visit and become a part of the history of Madang Province!

Regions of the Province

                                                        Districts and LLG's

Each province in Papua New Guinea has one or more districts, and each district has one or more Local Level Government (LLG) areas. For census purposes, the LLG areas are subdivided into wards and those into census units.

Madang is divided into 6 districts and 16 LLG's which makes up the whole province. The districts and LLG's are listed below.

District:	District Capital:	LLG Name:
Bogia District	Bogia	Almami Rural
		Iabu Rural
		Yawar Rural
Madang District	Madang	Ambenob Rural
		Madang Urban
		Transgogol Rural
Middle Ramu District	Simbai	Arabaka Rural
		Josephstaal Rural
		Simbai Rural
Rai Coast District	Rai Coast	Astrolabe Bay Rural
		Naho Rawa Rural
		Saidor Rural
Sumkar District	Karkar	Karkar Rural
		Sumgilbar Rural
Usino Bundi District	Usino	Bundi Rural
		Usino Rural

People,Lifestyle, Culture and Traditions

                                    

 

With a population of 362, 850, the diverse geographical nature of the province is reflected in the make-up of its people who can, by virtue of lifestyle be broken into four distinct groups - islanders, coastal people, river people and mountain people. These groups are of similar appearance except for the small-stature Simbai tribe who live in the foothills of the mountains. The traditional dressing consists mainly of traditional dyed multi-coloured grass skirts made out of either pandanas leaves or sago palm. The women from the mountain areas wear skirts that are colourless, narrow and stringy. Unlike the women, men wear mushy net aprons in front and a clutter of target leaves astern.

The province itself is popularly known of its traditional singing and dancing which is one of the most component of its culture. The traditional dancing and singing is used in many ceremonies such as bringing peace between two warring clans, used in paying of bride price, used in celebrating festivals and many more.


 The culture of Madang people vary from place to place as you move. Madang people are very 
 kind and easy going people where you would like to easily socialized with them.