Goroka

The capital of Eastern Highlands Province, Goroka is a vibrant highland city known as the cultural heart of Papua New Guinea. It's famous for the annual Goroka Show, one of the world's largest tribal gatherings showcasing indigenous customs, dance, and crafts.

Things to do

• Goroka Show — Attend the annual September festival featuring hundreds of indigenous tribes in traditional dress performing dances, singing, and displaying crafts in a spectacular tribal gathering.
• Kumul Lodge Birdwatching — Visit this nearby lodge in the cloud forests to spot rare Papua New Guinea birds including the famous Birds of Paradise in their natural habitat.
• Asaro Mudmen Village — Trek to the village of the famous Asaro mudmen who cover themselves in clay and create elaborate mud masks as part of their ancestral tradition.
• Goroka Market — Explore the bustling local market where highland communities sell fresh produce, betel nut, local crafts, and traditional bilum bags.
• Eastern Highlands Show Grounds — Visit the permanent venue that hosts the Goroka Show and other cultural events throughout the year with facilities for viewing performances.
• Rotap Garden Lodge Walks — Take guided nature walks through pristine highland forests and gardens to experience the region's flora, birdlife, and panoramic mountain views.
• Local Craft Workshops — Visit artisan workshops in Goroka town where you can watch and purchase traditional bilum bags, carvings, and beadwork directly from makers.

Food to try

• Kaukau — A staple sweet potato dish prepared boiled or roasted, serving as a dietary foundation for highland communities.
• Sago and Sago Porridge — A starch-based staple made from sago palm, often prepared as a thick porridge or fried cakes that provide sustained energy.
• Mumu — A traditional earth oven feast where meats, sweet potatoes, and vegetables are wrapped in banana leaves and cooked underground for hours.
• Pit Pit — Green bamboo shoots cut from fresh bamboo and typically boiled or steamed, serving as a local vegetable delicacy.
• Betel Nut Chewing — A widespread cultural practice of chewing betel nut (areca nut) often mixed with lime and wrapped in betel leaf, creating a mild stimulant effect.

Local customs & good to know

• Respect tribal protocols — Always ask permission before photographing people or participating in ceremonies, as many tribes view images as spiritually significant.
• Dress conservatively — Wear modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees, as revealing attire is considered disrespectful in this conservative highland society.
• Learn basic Pidgin English — While English is spoken, learning phrases in Tok Pisin shows respect and greatly enhances interactions with local communities.
• Understand the Wantok system — Recognize that loyalty to one's language group (wantok) is fundamental to Papua New Guinean society and influences social and business interactions.

Nearby

• Goroka Produce Market — 0 km
• Eastern Highlands Rainforest — 2 km
• Kundiawa — 7 km
• Asaro Valley and Mudmen — 14 km