Day 13 - 15 facts about PNG and Daga that you probably didn't know
1. Papua New Guinea is home to the most languages in the world. Over 800 different languages are spoken across various communities. The Daga region also has its own language, spoken only by around 10,000 people. Despite this diversity, almost everyone speaks English, making communication with locals easy. All official schooling is conducted in English, allowing different tribes and communities to communicate with each other.
2. Papua New Guinea is one of the least visited countries on Earth. It ranks in the top 20 lowest tourist destinations. Given the limited international flights, expensive hotels (mostly catering to business travellers), and law and order concerns in some areas, it’s not surprising that I was one of the handful of foreigners to ever visit Daga.
3. Due to rugged terrain and limited infrastructure, the country faces significant challenges. The main landmass is essentially a long mountain range covered in dense jungle, and infrastructure is extremely poor. There is no road connection between the two largest cities in PNG, and local flights are the primary means of travel between regions. Many rural areas are inaccessible by car. To reach remote villages, you fly to the nearest airport, take a car as far as you can, and then hire a small boat (dinghy) with an outboard motor to take you further. From there, you may hike for days to reach the villages. So to get to the most distant villages of Daga, you fly to Alotau, take a car+boat to Sirisiri and then hike for up to 4 days.
4. Papua New Guinea was one of the last territories to be "officially" colonized. British New Guinea (which includes Daga) was officially established in 1884 and was transferred to Australia in 1906, becoming known as the Territory of Papua. During World War II, it was a major battleground between Japanese and Allied forces. Papua New Guinea gained independence in 1975, and this year marks the 50th anniversary. It remains a Commonwealth realm, with the British monarch as the head of state.
5. Despite a growing trend of young people moving to cities for job opportunities, PNG remains one of the least urbanized countries. Nearly 90% of the population still lives in rural villages.
6. Many communities follow a matrilineal system, where land, titles, and wealth are inherited through the mother’s lineage. This is not the case in Daga, where land and wealth are passed from father to son.
7. Betel nut is chewed by many people on a continuous basis. While it is a widespread custom in many countries in the region, I’ve never seen it so pervasive. The nut is a stimulant drug (similar to light narcotics), and it is chewed together with mustard stick and lime powder. The chemical reaction turns the mixture bright red, leading to a striking appearance when people chew it. It often looks like their mouths are bleeding, and red marks are visible on the streets when the mixture is spit out. While locals say it "energizes" them, I’ve noticed that extensive chewing makes people appear slower and slightly “stoned.”
8. Papua New Guinea has a high population growth rate. Today, the population exceeds 10 million, up from 7.5 million in 2010. The economy is primarily based on mining and natural resource extraction (oil, gas), but it doesn’t create enough jobs for the growing population, leading to social tensions and law and order issues in urban centers. Despite the remoteness and many challenges, the population in Daga is also increasing.
9. The main religion in Daga is Baháʼí Faith. You may not have heard of it (I hadn't), as it has fewer than 10 million followers globally. The largest Baháʼí populations are in India, the USA, Kenya, Vietnam, Congo, and the Philippines. The core principles are:
• All humans are part of one global family, with no fundamental difference based on race, religion, or social background. The goal is a just and peaceful society.
• Oneness of religion: All world religions come from the same divine source and share a common spiritual purpose.
• Equality of men and women in all aspects of life, which is essential for societal progress.
10. Public transport (where roads exist) is mostly based on PMVs—Public Motor Vehicles. These are essentially trucks with seats mounted in the cargo box, often heavily decorated, much like the jeepneys in the Philippines. Safety features are minimal, and I’ve seen people riding on the roofs when the cargo bay is full.
11. Land ownership is mostly based on a "customary" system. Around 97% of land is owned by indigenous tribes and clans. There are no written records, and land cannot be bought or sold. You can negotiate with the tribe for the use of land for a specific purpose.
12. The rainforests and jungles, such as those in Daga, remain largely unexplored. There are likely hundreds of undiscovered species of plants and animals. During my hikes, I noticed many colorful butterflies and heard strange bird calls. According to locals, mammals are scarce in these areas.
13. Despite fertile land, Papua New Guinea is a net food importer. While nearly 80% of the population works in agriculture, primarily as subsistence farmers, the country struggles to feed its growing urban centers due to poor infrastructure. The few large farms focus on cash crops like coffee, cocoa, and palm oil, which bring in money but don’t help local food security. Rice is the main staple food, but more than 90% of it is imported, despite being able to grow it locally.
14. Papua New Guinea produces around 50-60,000 tons of coffee annually, making it the 18th-largest coffee producer in the world. However, Daga’s 20-25 tons likely aren't included in this total, as in recent years they haven’t made it to processing facilities.
15. Papua New Guinea is the only country in the world to feature a bird on its flag. The Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise is depicted on the national flag, symbolizing the country's unique wildlife.
Hannes