Macao, China, Economy, People, Culture and Flag

PEOPLE OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Several ethnic groups thrive within the region of Papua New Guinea, with majority of the residents comprised of Papuans, who settled here about thousands of years ago and Austronesians, who resided here about four thousand years ago. Other inhabitant prominent within the region is Chinese, Europeans, Australians, Filipinos, Sri Lankans and Indians. Apart from the presence of 850 indigenous Papuan and Austronesian dialects, English is the official vernacular spoken within the region. The northern regions of this province mainly resort to the Tok Pisin, a Creole language. While in the southern region, people use the Hiri Motu vernacular.

ARTS, CULTURE AND MUSIC OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Art: The local natives resort to crafting of handicrafts like Gogodala basket, fighting shield washkuk, female and male ancestral formations, fine carved crocodile figure, Mindja board belonging to the Kwoma natives, Sepik cult hook and old historical masks.

Culture: With the emergence of several group within the region of Papua New Guinea where art, dance, weaponry, costumes, singing, music and architecture play an important role in defining their culture. The natives are known for their farming, hunting, and fishing skills. The natives residing along the Sepik River are known for wood carving while others indulge in making the native skull portrait. The local people paint their body; adorn themselves with feathers, pearls and animal skins, which become a key factor during the day of celebration and festivity. The local natives wear traditional attire, which is commonly called as koteka.

Music: The natives celebrate all kind of festival by singing, dancing, feasting and gift giving. This is popularly known as singsing in their native language. During this period native adorn oneself with colorful attires and sing along in a group to celebrate the festival in union. Later on Christian hymns along with Gregorian chanting was introduced within the area. Soon rhythm based on native and Western culture that was popularly known as rock and jazz originated from the region. It was during the initial stage of 20 th century when the Christian hymns, work songs and gold rush songs was widely accepted in the area either in their native language or in English and German. String bands and the bamboo bands, a musical rhythm from the Solomon Islands was soon recognized in the region.

FLAG OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

The flag of Papua New Guinea was officially accepted in the month of June 24, 1971. The flag is separated into two diagonal halves from the top end of the hoist side to the bottom end of the fly side. The topmost divide is colored in red with a yellow colored Kumul bird placed within the flag that is known as the Bird of Paradise. The other half is colored with a black background comprised of five stars, which denotes the Southern Cross, which signifies country's historical tie-ups with the South Pacific nations. These colors of black, yellow and red are the local native colors that are close to the heart of the people.

ECONOMY OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Papua New Guinea is opulent with natural resources, like copper, oil and gold, which support the export revenue of the region. The natives resort to agriculture, which sustains 85% of the inhabitants residing within the region.

The government aimed at stabilizing the monetary system, privatized the public enterprise and retained the peace and integrity in the area of Bougainville, bringing steadiness in the national budget. The government even secured financial assistance from international market along with receiving aid from the overseas.

Papua New Guinea is famous for producing and exporting of products based on agriculture, timber, and fish products. The province is known for holding the largest yam market within the Asian continent.

Papua New Guinea economy relies on the import of manufactured items. The industrial sector except the mining sector add to the revenue income within the territory pertaining to about 9% of GDP. The Small-scale industries thriving within the locality are known to manufacture beer, soap, clothing, paper products, concrete products, matches, ice cream, canned meat, furniture, fruit juices, plywood, and paint.

The agricultural production of the area includes sweet potatoes, coffee, coconuts, palm kernels, tea, rubber, fruit, vegetables, poultry, cocoa, and pork.