PAPUA NEW GUINEA
(Medicine Hunter)
I returned in 2004 to work on a television pilot entitled Medicine Hunter.

The most famous local cooking style is the mumu, a traditional undergrounds oven.*



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The churches have played an important role in developing the country's health and education services but they are also responsible for the loss of traditional knowledge and cultural practices.*

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John, the Healer

The  Mount Hagen Market serves as something as the commercial center of Papua New Guinea's third-largest city, a fascinating destination where old-world traditions are buttressed against modern technologies conveniences.

A pit is dug, fire-heated stones are placed in the bottom,meat and vegetables wrapped in herbs and leaves and placed on the stones.  The pit is then sealed with more branches and leaves and the contents roast and steam.*


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Mark, Plant Expert 

Papua New Guinea is the eastern half of the island known as New Guinea. The population of Papua New Guinea is very diverse and has over 7000 different ethnicities. The diverse culture of Papua New Guinea is the source of its motto: “Unity in Diversity” and is also the starting point of the diverse forms of cultural expression. A Sing-Sing is a festival in which there is music, dancing, and a feast. The dancers usually sing and play music with percussion instruments, and in some cases include the audience in the singing. Papua New Guinea is a country in which those who are successful at farming, hunting, and fishing are highly respected if they are generous; the Sing-Sing feast is one opportunity in which these people can be generous to their fellow villagers.
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The bride price is a marriage custom hat is widely practiced in Papua New Guinea.  The prospective husband's family makes a payment to the bride's family, thereby solidifying their marriage through a symbolic exchange which strengthens clan ties and in so doing, serves as a social contract and an equalising factor for both parties.

A sing-sing can be held for any number of reasons -- celebrating paying off a bride price, a moga ceremony or even a moga ceremony or even and mundane activity like raising money for a local school or church.  Whatever the reason, the result will be much the same -- a lot of people, brilliantly costumed, singing and dancing.*

Andy, Plant Expert

Arecoline is responsible for some of the effects of betel quid chewing, such as alertness, increased stamina, a sense of well-being, euphoria, and salivation. Chewing the nut stimulates the flow of saliva to aid digestion. Betel nut also has been used to stimulate the appetite.

*This caption above is from Papua New Guinea -- Lonely Planet's travel guide.