Lake Murray is the largest lake in Papua New Guinea, covering an area of about 647 square kilometers in the dry season and expanding to five times that size in the wet season. It is located in the Western Province, in the Middle Fly District, and has a highly convoluted shoreline of more than 2000 kilometers. The lake is home to about 5000 people from the Kuni, Begwa and Pari tribes, who live in stilted houses on the islands and shores of the lake. The lake and the surrounding one million hectares of forest are owned by the indigenous communities, who depend on the lake for food, water and transportation.
A Brief History of Lake Murray
Lake Murray was first visited by foreigners in 1922, when the Australian photographer and filmmaker Frank Hurley arrived with his crew on a boat. Hurley was fascinated by the headhunting tribes of the area and wanted to make contact with them. He managed to trade and take photographs of some of the men he met, creating a valuable record of the life and culture of the Lake Murray people at that time. However, many of his photographs and artefacts were taken away by Hurley and are now stored in Australian museums. Some of the villagers have been seeking repatriation of their long-lost heritage items.
In 2003, Lake Murray was threatened by illegal logging, when a company called Concord Pacific cleared 100,000 hectares of ancient forest along the Kiunga-Aiambak road. The logging was stopped by Greenpeace and other NGOs, who also helped the local tribes to identify and mark their land boundaries. This was the first step towards a community-based eco-forestry project, which aimed to protect the forest and provide sustainable income for the villagers. Since then, some of the ecotimber has been harvested, shipped to Australia and sold with the Forestry Stewardship Council certification.
Language, Traditional Cultures, Norms and Practices
The people of Lake Murray speak three different languages: Kuni, Begwa and Pari. These languages belong to the Trans-New Guinea family and are closely related to each other. The languages have not been well documented or studied, but some basic word lists and grammatical sketches are available.
The traditional cultures of Lake Murray are rich and diverse, reflecting their close connection to nature and their ancestors. The villagers practice subsistence farming, fishing and hunting, using dugout canoes to navigate the lake. They also cultivate sago palms, bananas, taro and other crops on their gardens. They make their houses from local materials such as wood, bamboo, sago leaves and vines. They decorate their houses and canoes with colorful paintings and carvings of animals, plants and geometric patterns.
The norms and practices of Lake Murray vary from tribe to tribe, but some common features include clan-based social organization, respect for elders and leaders, initiation rites for boys and girls, elaborate ceremonies for weddings, funerals and festivals, traditional dances and songs, storytelling and oral history, exchange of shell money and pigs as gifts or bride price, belief in spirits and magic, use of herbal medicine and sorcery.
Current Development and Progress
Lake Murray is one of the most remote and undeveloped areas of Papua New Guinea, with limited access to basic services such as health care, education, communication and transportation. The nearest town is Kiunga, which is about 150 kilometers away by road or river. The villagers face many challenges such as malaria, malnutrition, waterborne diseases, lack of sanitation, environmental degradation, land disputes, poverty and social problems.
However, there are also some signs of development and progress in Lake Murray. Some of the initiatives that have been implemented or planned include:
- The establishment of a community radio station that broadcasts information on health, education, agriculture, culture and news in local languages.
- The construction of a health center that provides primary health care services such as immunization, antenatal care, family planning and treatment of common illnesses.
- The improvement of education facilities such as classrooms, teachers’ houses, books and supplies.
- The promotion of eco-tourism that showcases the natural beauty and cultural diversity of Lake Murray while generating income for the villagers.
- The support of conservation projects that protect the biodiversity and ecosystem services of Lake Murray and its forest.
- The empowerment of women’s groups that engage in income-generating activities such as handicrafts, gardening and fishing.
Holiday Spots or Tourist Attraction Points
Lake Murray is a hidden gem for tourists who are looking for an authentic and adventurous experience in Papua New Guinea. Some of the attractions that Lake Murray offers include:
- Birdwatching: Lake Murray is a paradise for bird lovers, as it hosts more than 200 species of birds including parrots, hornbills, kingfishers, eagles, herons and the rare Victoria crowned pigeon.
- Fishing: Lake Murray is also a haven for anglers, as it boasts a large population of fish such as barramundi, black bass, saratoga and peacock bass. The lake is also home to the freshwater sawfish, which can grow up to six meters long and is endangered in other parts of the world.
- Cultural tours: Lake Murray is a great place to learn about the culture and history of the local tribes, who are friendly and hospitable to visitors. Tourists can visit the villages, see their traditional houses and canoes, watch their dances and ceremonies, listen to their stories and legends, and participate in their daily activities.
- Nature walks: Lake Murray is surrounded by pristine forest that offers many opportunities for nature walks and wildlife viewing. Tourists can explore the forest trails, see the giant raffia palms, spot the orchids and butterflies, and encounter the monkeys, wallabies, cassowaries and crocodiles.
References
[1] Lake Murray (Papua New Guinea) – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Murray_%28Papua_New_Guinea%29
[2] Papua New Guinean Lake Murray villagers seek repatriation of long-lost artefacts from Australia – ABC News. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-30/png-lake-murray-villagers-seek-repatriation-of-artefacts/9370478
[3] The Lake Murray Monster of PNG | Genesis Park. https://www.genesispark.com/exhibits/evidence/cryptozoological/the-therapod-enclosure/the-lake-murray-monster-of-papua-new-guinea/
[4] Papua New Guinea’s Indigenous Villages with Lake Murray | Yampu Tours. https://www.yampu.com/tours/papua-new-guineas-indigenous-villages-lake-murray/
[5] Lake Murray Lodge – pngtours.com. https://www.pngtours.com/lakemurray.html
[6] Google Maps. https://goo.gl/maps/7fYyZqg9z8wZcQ6v9
Source: Conversation with Bing, 14/07/2023
(1) Lake Murray (Papua New Guinea) – Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Murray_%28Papua_New_Guinea%29.
(2) Papua New Guinean Lake Murray villagers seek repatriation of long-lost …. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-30/png-lake-murray-villagers-seek-repatriation-of-artefacts/9370478.
(3) The Lake Murray Monster of PNG | Genesis Park. https://www.genesispark.com/exhibits/evidence/cryptozoological/the-therapod-enclosure/the-lake-murray-monster-of-papua-new-guinea/.
(4) Papua New Guinea’s Indigenous Villages with Lake Murray. https://www.yampu.com/tours/papua-new-guineas-indigenous-villages-lake-murray/.
(5) Lake Murray Lodge – pngtours.com. https://www.pngtours.com/lakemurray.html.