Extraordinary images show the Kunai and Huli tribes of Papa New Guinea brought together in ancient festival
During the Sing Sings festival, the tribe members paint their faces with mixture made of clay and plants
The amazing photos were taken along the Sepik River, which is the longest river on the island of New Guinea

Stunning photographs reveal the ancient tradition that now brings competing tribes of Papua New Guinea together in a colourful festival of song and dance.

Extraordinary images of the tribes show them painting their faces with a mixture made of clay and plants, the Kunai donned in a combination of yellow, black and red paint and the Huli wearing yellow and red.

The multi-coloured faces of these tribes have been captured during one of their festivals called Sing Sings where they dance and sing.

The tribes date back to approximately 60,000 years when the Papuan people migrated from Africa.

The amazing photos were taken along the Sepik River, which is the longest river on the island of New Guinea, by travel photographer, Trevor Cole from Londonderry, Northern Ireland, UK.

'These images portray some of the Worlds tribes from Papua New Guinea as they adorn themselves for rituals or ceremonies,' Trevor said.

'In most cases the paints are derived from clays and plants which are found locally and have been used for long periods of time, red ochre and white clays or chalk, for example.

'The tribes in the highlands of Papua New Guinea and along the Sepik river adorn themselves with paint for 'Sing Sings', local festivals where the tribes sing and dance.

'The images illustrate the tribes in the act of applying the paints and preparing for events. Although some of the tribes do it for tourists, in some ways, this keeps their traditions and cultures alive.'

The Huli are an indigenous group who live in the Hela Province of Papua New Guinea, where they predominantly speak Huli and Tok Pisin, and some speak English.

The Huli were not known to Europeans until November 1934, when at least 50 of them where killed by the Fox brothers, two adventurers who were looking for gold.

'All of these images were taken prior to real events which are an integral part of their cultures,' Trevor said.

'The highlight of our time there was an annual, recently created, festival. The villages, all part of one tribal clan, came together to dance and make music - known as a 'Sing-Sing'. The same clans also occasionally war with each other using machetes.

They are one of the largest groups in Papua New Guinea, with their population reaching over 250,000 in 2011. They were avid travellers, mainly for trade purposes, in both the highlands and lowlands surrounding their homeland.

The day was very atmospheric and the connection between these indigenous people was palpable. Their tribal attire was comprised of woven fibres, cowrie shells, beads, grass skirts, facial painting and exotic feathers.

'Everything was spiritual and connected to the Earth. Their dances were rhythmic and clearly reflected their cultural roots and the connections to the spirit world.

'These are ancient traditions which have been engrained in their culture for perhaps sixty-thousand years, the time when the Papuan and aboriginal peoples migrated from Africa.'
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