[Home] [About Milne Bay] [Special Events] [Arts and Culture ] [Ecotourism] [Battle of Milne Bay WWII] [Diving] [Accommodation, Conferences and Transport] [Gallery] [Links] [Contact us]

Special Events

2008

ANZAC Day

at shore War Memorial, Alotau on 25 April

Remembrance Day

at shore War Memorial, Alotau 23 July

World Environment Day

Alotau on 5th June

Milamala Festival

Losuia, Trobriand Islands, Milne Bay Province

June - August

The festival will involve 6 villages and will feature the following:

  • Multi-denominational church service followed by official opening
  • yam carrying and all the activities associated with that stage and dancing until about midnight.
  • storing of the yams; awarding winners of gardening etc;
  • Kula canoe racing; and dancing
  • All participating villages will take part in full cultural performances and feasting.

Village livelihood skills will be demonstrated and arts and crafts will be available for sale.

Getting there

Airlines PNG services Losuia from Port Moresby and Alotau every Tuesday and Sunday. Current one way fares per person are K- Alotau to Losuia and K541- Port Moresby to Losuia.

For the more adventurous traveller, cargo boats sail from Alotau and service the islands for around K per person. Allow for 2 days travel as they may call into other islands en route. Starships (6410012) run regular weekly fast passenger services at K75 per passenger.

Accommodation

  • Butia Lodge 6439003 or 6410800, email,transport provided
  • Kiriwina Lodge 6439001 or 6439009,transport provided
  • Village stays are most welcome and can be arranged through Serah Clark by email
  • Bicycle hire can also be arranged through Serah Clark by email.
Kavataria Girl, Trobriands Photo: Rod Clark

Trobriand dancer Photo: Rod Clark

Carrying of yams Photo: Rod Clark

Annual Cameron Cultural Show

July

Heed the call of the conch shell and join the students of Cameron Secondary School in Alotau in their annual celebration of Milne Bay's culture and heritage.

Catch the rhythms of dances from all around the province, accompanied by chanting and the beat of the kundu drum.

Get a glimpse of real village life as the Cultural Village comes alive with families of students on hand to help performers dress and to coach them on the protocols of custom, to demonstrate traditional skills and to prepare feasts to mark the end of the festival.

Feast your eyes on the fruits of the creative imagination and artistic skills of Milne Bay artists and craftspeople in the Arts and Crafts Exhibition.

For the students, it is a journey to discovery of self and cultural identity; for spectators, it provides a window to a people's traditions , history and way of life.

Come and enjoy the experience.

Photos of Cameron 2003

Trobriand Dancers Photo: Rod Clark

Holy Name Day

7 August is the day that the Holy Name Grammar School in Dogura on the North Coast, usually celebrates its anniversary. Mass, cultural dancing, sports, and feasting are normal activities on the day.

Milne Bay Day -

26 August Celebration of the end of the war in Milne Bay. Centred around the shore memorial in Alotau. Displays of history of the Battle of MIlne Bay and craft market.

Independence Day

16 September

33rd anniversary of PNG independence. Colourful Floats and marching by residents of Alotau, Flag raising ceremony, speeches followed by traditional dancing. at Alice Wedega Park.

5th National Canoe & Kundu Festival

October 31 - 2 November

Milne Bay Province invites you to see, enjoy, and build your own experience of the unique beauty of Milne Bay’s rich cultural, traditional heritage portrayed in static and animated displays. Novelty events on land and sea; competitions; sale of handcrafts and souvenir items. You also have a chance to step to the beat of traditional drums or the 'old Samarai style' music and vote for the "Golden Guitar" award.

In Alotau town, activities start on Friday morning 31st October and ends on Sunday evening 2nd November. However, there is an evening program for each night from the 1st of November until the end of the Festival.

Feeder festivals start on the Monday 27th October at Wedau (All Saints celebrations), Waluma (Epoe celebrations), Samarai (Giniuba Kaihea), before sending off their canoes to EastCape - the first stopover for the races. All canoes must reach Wagawaga by Thursday night as all canoes must sail for Alotau on Friday morning in time for the Official Opening Ceremony.

There’s something for everyone: featuring different canoe categories: Rabaraba kukakukas, island/Kula decked sailaus, mainland non-decked sailaus, kukas, Bay single-hull war canoes (Lopos), Logeia kewokewos, and Mailu puapuas. Shore activities include traditional song and dance. village livelihood skills demonstrations, arts and crafts displays and novelty activities such as the popular Crazy Raft races, Walking Boat races, childrens activities, competitions and Interactive displays from Milne Bay Administration.

The Canoe Festival Committee is directed by Mr John Wills Kaniku, one of PNG's first authors, under the auspices of the Milne Bay Tourism Bureau Board. Email milnebaytourism.gov.pg

Activities

  • arts and crafts displays and demonstrations
  • Traditional Dancing
  • Novelty events for the children
  • Canoe racing - long, medium, and short distance
  • Canoe exhibition of manouvers, and joy rides
  • String bands song competition.
  • Combined Churches Service
  • Drama
  • Choir gospel and Peroveta singing
  • show stalls; and more

Raft race

Girls from the fashion parade

Baniara Girl from Rabaraba coast

Trobriand Dancers Photo: Rod Clark

Milne Bay child

Game Fishing Tournament

December

The Milne Bay Fishing Association organises fishing competitions throughout the year at Alotau. Guinea is planning a tournament in Milne Bay waters and based on Samarai Island.

back to the top

[Home] [About Milne Bay] [Special Events] [Arts and Culture ] [Ecotourism] [Battle of Milne Bay WWII] [Diving] [Accommodation, Conferences and Transport] [Gallery] [Links] [Contact us]

info@milnebaytourism.gov.pg

copyright 2008 Milne Bay Tourism Bureau
Funded by Milne Bay Provincial Government