Papua New Guinea is a country of diverse landscapes, cultures and wildlife. Among its many attractions, one of the most fascinating and underrated is the Sepik Plains, a vast area of flat land along the banks of the mighty Sepik River. The Sepik Plains offer a unique opportunity to experience the natural beauty, the rich history and the vibrant culture of this remote region. In this article, we will explore some of the highlights of the Sepik Plains and give you some tips on how to plan your visit.
The Sepik Plains: A Brief Overview
The Sepik Plains are located in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea, covering an area of about 2,500 square kilometers. The plains are bordered by the Torricelli Mountains to the north, the Hunstein Mountains to the south, and the Sepik River to the east. The plains are mostly covered by grasslands, swamps and patches of forest. The climate is tropical, with high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year.
The Sepik Plains are home to about 50,000 people, belonging to various ethnic groups and speaking different languages. The main groups are the Abelam, the Boiken, the Kwoma, the Nukuma and the Sawos. These groups have distinct traditions, customs and beliefs, but they also share some common features, such as their dependence on agriculture, their respect for nature and their artistic skills.
The Rich Cultural Heritage of the Sepik People
One of the most remarkable aspects of the Sepik Plains is the cultural heritage of its inhabitants. The Sepik people have a long history of producing some of the most impressive and diverse art forms in Papua New Guinea and beyond. Their art reflects their cosmology, their social organization and their relationship with their environment.
Some of the most famous examples of Sepik art are the haus tambarans, or spirit houses. These are large communal buildings that serve as ceremonial centers, meeting places and repositories of ancestral knowledge. The haus tambarans are decorated with elaborate carvings, paintings and sculptures that depict various spirits, animals and ancestors. Each haus tambaran has its own style and symbolism, reflecting the identity and history of its clan.
Another form of Sepik art is mask making. Masks are used for various purposes, such as initiation rites, dances, rituals and festivals. Masks can represent human or animal faces, or abstract forms. They can be made from wood, clay, bark cloth, feathers or shells. Some masks are worn on the face, while others are attached to costumes or headdresses.
Other forms of Sepik art include pottery, basketry, weaving, musical instruments and body decoration. The Sepik people use natural materials such as clay, wood, fiber, bone and shell to create their artworks. They also use pigments from plants and minerals to add color and patterns. Their artworks often have geometric or organic motifs that express their worldview and aesthetics.
The Sepik Chicken, Grain and Cocoa Innovation Project: A Model for Sustainable Development
The Sepik Plains have a great potential for agricultural development, due to their fertile soil and abundant water resources. However, until recently, this potential was largely untapped, due to lack of infrastructure, markets and skills. In 2017, a major project was launched to transform the Sepik Plains into a hub for modern commercial farming. The project is called the Sepik Chicken, Grain and Cocoa Innovation Project (SCGCIP), and it is a joint venture between the Papua New Guinea government, through Kumul Consolidated Holdings Ltd (KCHL), and an Israeli company called Innovative Agro Industry Ltd (IAI).
The SCGCIP aims to establish a fully integrated agro-industrial complex that produces chicken meat and eggs, grain crops such as rice and corn, and cocoa beans for export. The project also involves building roads, bridges, power lines and water systems to connect the farms to markets. The project also provides training and employment opportunities for local farmers and workers.
The SCGCIP is expected to have multiple benefits for the Sepik Plains and Papua New Guinea as a whole. It will increase food security and income for local communities; it will reduce dependence on imports; it will create value-added products; it will generate tax revenue; it will stimulate economic growth; it will promote social development; it will protect environmental sustainability; and it will showcase Papua New Guinea’s potential for innovation.
The SCGCIP has already achieved some notable results since its inception. It has built six chicken houses that can produce up to 1.2 million chickens per year; it has established a hatchery that can produce up to 2.4 million eggs per year; it has constructed a slaughterhouse and a cold storage facility that can process and store up to 10 tons of chicken meat per day; it has planted over 1,000 hectares of rice and corn; it has planted over 500 hectares of cocoa; and it has created over 300 jobs for local people. The project’s products are sold under the brand name Sepik Fresh, and they have received positive feedback from customers.
The SCGCIP is still ongoing, and it plans to expand its operations and impact in the coming years. The project is a model for sustainable development that can be replicated in other parts of Papua New Guinea and the Pacific region.
The Sepik River: A Natural Wonder and a Cultural Hub
The Sepik River is the longest river in Papua New Guinea, and the second longest in Oceania, after the Fly River. It flows for about 1,100 kilometers, from the Victor Emanuel Range in the central highlands, to the Bismarck Sea on the north coast. The Sepik River has a large catchment area of about 80,000 square kilometers, and it drains various landscapes, such as mountains, rainforests, swamps and grasslands.
The Sepik River is not only a natural wonder, but also a cultural hub. The river supports a rich biodiversity of flora and fauna, including many endemic and endangered species. The river also sustains the livelihoods and cultures of about 200,000 people, who live in more than 100 villages along its banks. The Sepik people have a close connection with the river, which they regard as a source of life, a sacred entity and a living being.
The Sepik River offers a unique opportunity to explore the natural and cultural diversity of Papua New Guinea. A visit to the Sepik River can include activities such as boating, fishing, birdwatching, wildlife viewing, hiking, camping and photography. It can also include interactions with local communities, such as visiting their villages, markets, schools and churches; witnessing their ceremonies, dances and rituals; learning about their history, legends and beliefs; and admiring their art and crafts.
How to Visit the Sepik Plains: Tips and Recommendations
If you are interested in visiting the Sepik Plains, here are some tips and recommendations to help you plan your trip:
The best time to visit the Sepik Plains is during the dry season, from May to October, when the weather is cooler and drier, and the roads are more accessible.
The main gateway to the Sepik Plains is Wewak, the capital of East Sepik Province. Wewak has an airport that receives daily flights from Port Moresby. Wewak also has hotels, restaurants, shops and other services for travelers.
From Wewak, you can travel to the Sepik Plains by road or by boat. By road, you can take a bus or hire a car to reach Yangoru or Maprik, two of the main towns on the plains. By boat, you can take a motorized canoe or hire a boat to cruise along the Sepik River.
If you want to visit the SCGCIP farms or facilities, you need to contact KCHL or IAI in advance to arrange your visit. You can also buy their products at their outlets in Wewak or Yangoru.
If you want to visit the local villages or communities along the Sepik River, you need to respect their customs and traditions. You should always ask for permission before entering their land or taking their photos. You should also bring some gifts or money as a token of appreciation for their hospitality.
If you want to stay overnight on the Sepik Plains or along the Sepik River, you have several options. You can stay at guesthouses or lodges run by local people or organizations. You can also stay at homestays or campsites hosted by local families or communities. You can also bring your own tent or hammock and camp in designated areas.
If you want to learn more about the Sepik Plains or the Sepik River, you can hire a local guide or join a tour group. You can find guides or tours in Wewak or Yangoru. You can also book online through websites or agencies that specialize in Papua New Guinea travel.
References:
1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sepik
2 https://www.britannica.com/art/Oceanic-art/The-Sepik-River-regions
3 https://www.thenational.com.pg/minister-impressed-with-progress-of-sepik-plains-project/
4 https://www.zewanderingfrogs.com/sepik-river/exploring-papua-new-guinea-east-sepik-river-clans-culture-crocodile-traditions 5 https://www.lonelyplanet.com/papua-new-guinea