The mysterious and beautiful Trobriand Islands welcomed us today as the National Geographic Orion anchored off Nuratu Island. In the early 1900s the famous anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski labeled these Islands the “Islands of Love.”
After a short Zodiac trip we landed on the Island of Kiriwina which is often referred to by the locals as the “Main Island.” Warm Trobriand welcomes and big smiles awaited us as we stepped out of the Zodiacs onto a beautiful stretch of white sandy beach.
With the formalities out of the way it was time to experience the famous Trobriand Island dancers, locally known as “Sing Sings.” The young dancers were decorated with colorful ornaments and beautiful traditional grass skirts.
The Trobriand Islands are also famous for their carvings, so after the “Sing Sings” we had the opportunity to try out some “retail therapy.” On offer were beautiful ebony walking sticks and shell inlayed bowls that had been made locally and crafted by hand.
For the adventitious few a walk to the village was an opportunity to see the traditional yam houses that are an integral part of Trobriand culture. Every year from June to August Trobriand’s celebrate the Milamalla yam festival. Yams are displayed and admired and paraded through the village and stored in elaborate yam houses.
After the walk our next stop was a short Zodiac trip over to Naratu Island for snorkeling and swimming for the rest of the afternoon. Many of us made the most of the opportunity to swim and snorkel in such beautiful clear azure waters.
