Tari

A remote highland town in the Hela Province region famous for its indigenous Huli people and their striking warrior traditions with yellow wigs and face paint. Tari offers authentic cultural experiences and access to traditional villages, though it requires significant travel effort.

Things to do

• Huli Wigman Village Visit — Spend time in traditional Huli settlements where warriors still wear their iconic yellow wigs made from human hair and practice ancestral face-painting designs.
• Tari Market — Experience the vibrant Saturday market where local Huli people trade produce, crafts, and traditional goods in an authentic highland setting.
• Hayakama Falls Trek — Hike through rainforest terrain to visit a scenic waterfall in the surrounding mountains, accessible with a local guide familiar with the region.
• Traditional Sing-Sing Festival Attendance — If timing aligns, witness elaborate tribal gatherings where Huli warriors perform synchronized dances wearing traditional regalia and face decorations.
• Local Crafts Workshop — Learn traditional Huli skills like wig-making, bilum bag weaving, or shell ornament crafting directly from community artisans.
• Tari Airport Walk and Town Orientation — Start at Tari Airport, the town's main entry point, then explore the small highland settlement to understand local life and geography.

Food to try

• Sweet Potato (Kaukau) — The staple highland carbohydrate, often boiled or roasted, forms the backbone of Huli meals and is served at nearly every local gathering.
• Sago — Starchy palm-derived food traditionally prepared and eaten as a porridge or fried cake, representing pre-colonial highland sustenance.
• Greens and Native Vegetables — Local highland greens like taro leaves and leafy vegetables are cooked with coconut milk or eaten fresh, sourced from gardens surrounding villages.
• Pork (Ceremonial Feasts) — Pork is reserved for important gatherings and sing-sings, smoked or roasted, central to Huli hospitality and tribal celebrations.
• Bamboo-Cooked Fish — Freshwater fish from local streams are wrapped in banana leaves and cooked inside split bamboo over open fires for ceremonial meals.

Local customs & good to know

• Ask Permission for Photography — Always request consent before photographing warriors in traditional dress or villages, as some individuals believe images hold spiritual significance.
• Respect Tribal Hierarchies — Huli society is organized by clans with respected elders; address senior community members respectfully and follow their guidance on appropriate visitor behavior.
• Dress Conservatively — Visitors should wear modest clothing covering shoulders and knees to show respect for local customs and avoid drawing unwanted attention.
• Language Barrier and Time — English is limited in remote areas; hire a local guide fluent in Tok Pisin or Huli, and allow extra time for all activities as punctuality differs from Western expectations.

Nearby

• Nipa (Southern Highlands) — 12 km
• Ialibu (Southern Highlands) — 17 km
• Mendi (Southern Highlands) — 21 km
• Mount Giluwe (Southern Highlands) — 44 km