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!