The findings of a research study conducted on the well-known Taibubu or Kiwai dance from Western Province was presented on June 5th, at a music and dance symposium in Hawaii, USA. Emmanuel Daniel, a researcher from Papua New Guinea, delivered a paper titled “Christianity and the Adaptation of Taibubu among the South Fly People of PNG” during the 11th symposium held at the University of Hawaii at Manoa.

Dance holds a crucial role in our culture, serving as a meaningful avenue for expressing our identity. In Papua New Guinea, there have been limited reports by anthropologists and cultural researchers regarding the importance of dance within our social and ceremonial contexts. Over time, research into dance in Papua New Guinea has sparked curiosity about the evolution of these cultural expressions.

“Given the growing influence in technology and globalization, many of our dances have adapted new forms. The issue of what is “indigenous versus non-indigenous” remains an area of contention,” Mr Daniel said.