Toare Mask Festival is a unique and culturally rich event celebrated in the Toare village of the Gulf Province. The festival brings people together to show their unique masks. Each mask illustrates the story behind its existence. It is an annual event where local communities come together to showcase their beautifully crafted masks.

During the festival, participants wear masks and perform traditional dances that showcase the stories and significance of their masks.

These dances are more than just performances; they are a way to share and preserve local myths, legends, and cultural values. The festival features a lively atmosphere filled with music, dance, and colourful displays, making it a joyful celebration of the area’s rich cultural heritage.

The Toare Mask Festival not only highlights the artistic talents of the community but also serves as a reminder of the deep-rooted tradition that is about to go extinct but was revived in the early 2000s. The festival serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining cultural practices in a modern world.

The mask festival was hosted today, on the 03rd of August, 2024, as a way for the community to preserve and promote their culture.

Presented at the event is Hon. Thomas Opa, the Minister for Petroleum & Energies and Member for Kerema District; Mr. Richard Kassman, Public Affairs Manager at TotalEnergies EPNG Ltd; representing the Executive Director of National Cultural Commission Mr. Steven Enomb Kilanda, Mr. Alex Puki Research Manager at National Cultural Commission and representatives from the Gulf Provincial Government.

Hon. Thomas Opa officially opened the event, highlighting its significance for the Kerema District. He emphasized the importance of promoting local culture, noting that many traditional practices, such as mask-making, were at risk of disappearing due to the influence of Christianity and Western culture.

“We must preserve our culture for future generations. We must keep our traditions alive so they can be remembered and appreciated in the future,” he said.

Mr. Alex Puki congratulated the people of Toare for their ongoing celebration and strong commitment to their cultural traditions. “We are proud to see more cultural groups participating this year compared to last, while many other cultures in Papua New Guinea are fading, the National Cultural Commission is heartened by your dedication,” he said.

The National Cultural Commission presented a cheque of K5000 to the festival committee as a token of the commission’s support towards the festival.

The festival is a unique and meaningful event that draws people from near and far, eager to experience and participate in the traditions of Gulf Province.