This festival was first started in the mid 1950’s by Australian patrol officers in an effort to curb tribal warfare. The idea was that the various tribes would come together and get acquainted in a non-threatening, friendly atmosphere. It has since evolved into a national cultural event.
So sit back and enjoy a “parade” to beat all parades. Guaranteed!
The parade started with this long black “snake” that was slithering and swaying back and forth. It was actually very effective. The head was made up of men...
... and by the time you reached the tail, they were just small boys. I think this was Bill’s favorite!
From that point on, it was just one dance group after another.
The music consisted mainly of singing (If you can call it that - a wailing chant is more like it.) and various crude instruments ranging from wooden drums to bamboo pipes that were thumped on the ground.
I wouldn’t want to run into these men in the dark!
The backside can be just as entertaining as the front. 
Even the children get involved. 
We found it amusing to see the “modern” mixed in with the “traditional.” Here you see a man proudly sporting sunglasses.
And here you have a woman who apparently did not have a wooden drum so she improvised - using a plastic bottle to beat on instead. 
This dancer just can’t resist pulling out the video camera and catching some of the action. 
After the parade, the masses of dancers all congregate in a large field and simultaneously continue their traditional dances. 
There are hundreds of dancers and the noise can be overwhelming at times! There is a large monetary reward for the best dance group so the competition can be fierce. 
Next year why don’t you really come and join us for the Goroka show. It is an experience you will never forget!