Culture of Milne Bay Province

Island culture has changed in last 50 years or so. Ownership has became a part of people's lives and essentially life became more competitive. Trade items used to be shells, banana leaves - they essentially still are but money is the main form of currency now. You will not be able to buy a phone credit or a fuel for a dinghy with shells now. Size of your house, number of pigs and ownership of an electric generator do let you know who is doing well and who doesn't.

As I have spend most of mine time on one of the smaller Trobriand Islands, people live more simple life rather than on Kiriwina. There is no electricity, supply of fresh water is a problem at times and with only a few shops that sell tinned food and essentials only. Most people don't work and live off the garden only. The only people who work and get paid on regular basis would be teachers and that's about it. The rest of people work in their gardens, look after their kids, visit relatives and relax on hot days. There is no rush at all, that's for sure. Island time. Man is the head of the family and women usually eat meals after men finish. Meals are being prepared by women, I have not seen a man cooking. This would certainly be different in big towns I guess where everyone is working and lifestyle is completely different .

With the mobile phone breaking into society everyone has got an access to the internet and reliable form of communication. Which will bring a many good things for the people but also some bad ones. I believe people have their own unique culture due to not being exposed to the outside world. They are happy with what they have (not much, if anything) and once they can see they could have more - would they want more?

People live simple life and if you forget tinned roofs, modern clothing and mobile phones, this is how they have lived for many centuries, not many things have really changed as there is not much room for a change. Islands are tiny and natural resources basic. People eat food they grow by themselves, eat fish they catch themselves and smoke tobacco grown in their own garden. I don't see much changing there any time soon.

Money and Western influence is slowly changing culture to the more modern type of thing, yet unique and welcoming.