Talk:Goroka
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The Goroka Show
Goroka is chiefly famed on the tourist circuit for its annual "Show" which takes place on Independence Day. This three day event takes place on the local sports field when arround ten thousand locals arrive to participate wearing their traditional tribal dress. Dancing and singing is the order of the day. The groups come from villages both local and distant, from all walks of life. Often they are members of "Sing sing" clubs. Men women and children participate. The governor of the province and the president are usually present on the last day. This is without doubt one of the worlds most colourful and spectacular shows. Papua New Guinea is one of the worlds most violent societies, tribal warfare is common. The event is therefore heavily policed, weapons carries by the particpants are uaually disbled by them. However there is often violence around the showground as enemies meet and old scores settled. Serious injuries and death are common.
It's a man's world in Papua New Guinea!
At the show young and unmarried women are paraded in full tribal regalia, view to remedying their single status.
Women don't have a very good deal in PNG. If you see one you fancy, you go and see her father and negotiate a "bride price". It amounts to out and out purchase. Prices range between £3000 and £6000 depending on how well educated she is as this will effect her earning potential. However you don't have to pay out all up front, a small deposit is all you need and you can take her away. If she's not pregnant within a year, you can bring her back and get a refund. (Her fault naturally!) Anything she might earn, you can keep and spend as you see fit. If there's an attitude problem, it's normal (though actually illegal) to beat her with a stick. The government runs campaigns from time to time to remind the male population about this law. She's normally expected to work in the garden (several acres), have one child a year and may have a wage earning job as well. The men on the other hand have a very indolent and laid back existence. Many spend most of their time sat about in the street. Men can have several wives, depending on how much ground they have needs cultivating.
Not surprisingly, many women have an ambition to marry an Englishman or an Australian, I was propositioned several times. (The Englishman respects his wife I was told.) For a single man, it would be well worth considering. Many ex-pats are married to local girls, it's hard to imagine where one could find a more desireable woman!
The Polynesians from the coastal areas are an especially handsome people. Many of the women are drop dead gorgeous.
For tourist the main hotel is the "Bird of Paradise" half a mile from the venue where security staff outnumber all others. However such is the spectacle of the show thar hardy tourist think it's worth it. Entry to the show is approx. £20 (UK ) for the three days, surely the worlds best value for money.
The "Fringe Event" at the Goroka Market. A less well known event that take place at the same time as the show (and free to boot!) is the fighting that takes place adjacent to the market place. Traditionally anyone with a grievance comes to Goroka at this time to settle the matter by combat. The weapons used varies with the wealth and technological inclinations of the combatants. These can include clubs, machetes, knives, guns (homemade, automatic and semi-auto matic) spears and bows & arrows. Men, women and children all participate. The fight only stops when serious injury occurs. Tourist are very welcome to watch and take pictures but it's best not to be there if missiles are involved. There is an audience of thousands, milling about the various fights going on simultaneously, it's often difficult to see any thing.
[edit] sister cities
I've removed the "Twin towns" section for now, as it consisted of Toowoomba and Brisbane, both of which appear to not yet be "sister cities" (or "twin cities" or "twin towns") with Goroka - see Toowoomba city site and Brisbane city site. This article says that Goroka is expected to become a sister city with Toowoomba in 2012. I can only find one plausible reference online to a current sister city for Goroka: the capital of Fujian province, China - but there seems to be no strong substantiation for it.
Wantok 01:19, 26 May 2006 (UTC)
