Trobriand Islands PNG (Kiriwina, Kaileuna, Kitava, Vakuta)

The Trobriand Islands (PNG) are located in the Solomon Sea, to the northeast of New Guinea Island (mainland PNG). Trobriands are part of Milne Bay Province.

The Trobriands are considered an important tropical rainforest region that needs to be conserved and protected.

The archipelago consists of 4 large islands (Kiriwina, Kitava, Kaileuna, Vakuta), islets and coral atolls, with a total land area of approx 450 km2 (174 mi2).

Kiriwina is the largest of the Trobriands, with total land area 291 km2 (112 mi2) and population around 12,000. The main (largest) town on the island is Losuia. The island has length 43 km (27 mi) and width between 1-16 km (0,6-10 mi). There are around 60 villages. The largest settlement is Losuia (where the government station is). Over 6% of the Trobriand Islands' inhabitants (total population around 13,000) are between 60-95 years of age.

During WW2 (1939-1945), on Kiriwina (at Losuia) was built seaplane base with an anchorage and a jetty. In June 1943, the Allied forces landed on the islands of Kiriwina and Woodlark. Followed the construction of Kiriwina Airfield, where in August was based the No 73 Wing (Australian Air Force), part of Operational Group 9.

Kaileuna's terrain features a swamp (in the middle) with two rivers/creeks flowing from it. The island's population (around 2,000) lives in five coastal villages, the largest of which (Kaduwaga) is on the northwest coast.

Kitava's inhabitants (population around 2,500) are famous worldwide for their excellent health and traditional dietary habits.

Vakuta is a continuation of Kiriwina (to the south), separated from it only through a 400-m/1300 ft-wide passage. Vakuta has population around 1,000, and land area around 21 km2 (8 mi2).

The Trobriand Archipelago's total population is around 13,000 (all indigenous people), most of them living on Kiriwina (the largest). The indigenous population lives a peaceful lifestyle with little disturbance or influence from outsiders. Locals use small canoes for trade and gift-giving around the Islands.

Over 6% of the inhabitants are between 60-95 years of age. These people are mostly horticulturalists. Matrilineal clans control the land and its resources. Hunger and scarcity of food is an issue due to poor growing conditions.

Eating in front of others is taboo. They eat alone or turn their backs on one another and eat rapidly for fear of being observed. They eat mainly yams (vegetables) and often chew betel nuts (mixed with pepper plant and slaked lime), causing their teeth to appear red.

At 7-8 years of age, children are allowed to play erotic games and start to imitate adult seductive behaviour. At the age of 12-15, they begin to pursue sexual partners. Partners are often changed (no traditional marriages). Women are equal to men in pursuing or refusing a partner. The married couple starts to eat together (which is officially recognized as a marriage) for about a year, then go back to eating separately. If after 1 year the woman is unhappy, she may divorce her husband. Couples get divorced also if the man chooses another woman.

Trobriand Islands PNG cruise terminal