September 16, 2024 – Kerema, Gulf Province

As Papua New Guinea marks its 49th year of Independence, the Toare Gulf Mask Festival stands as a vibrant testament to the nation’s rich cultural diversity. Each year, Toare village bursts to life, showcasing intricately designed masks in all their colourful splendour. 

The Eharo mask, thought to have become extinct over 200 years ago, was rediscovered in 2004 and reported to the National Cultural Commission (NCC). This discovery sparked a revival of mask culture in the Gulf province, particularly in the small village of Toare in Kaipi District.  

Tourists from around the world and visitors from across the country make the eight-hour journey from Port Moresby and a 20-minute trek, through the serene coastal Gulf, to witness choreographed performances and masks from 34 different cultural groups from Eastern and Central Kerema. 

Known as Gulf’s best-kept secret, the Toare Gulf Mask Festival made a triumphant return in 2023 after a four-year hiatus, thanks to the support of the National Cultural Commission and the Gulf Provincial Government.  

The last festival in 2019 was supported by the Ministry for Tourism, the Tourism Promotion Authority (TPA), and French tour company PNG Travel Lands, which brought tourists from France to fully immerse themselves in the culture. Plans to promote the event in 2020 were halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 

TotalEnergies EP PNG, as the operator of the Papua LNG project, was proud to be a Gold sponsor of the event in 2023, witnessing its revival and ongoing preservation.  

Each mask, a symbolic expression of culture unique to its tribe, represents a successful revival of Gulf’s mask cultural heritage. This preservation effort ensures the knowledge of community elders, who have since passed, is carried forward by their descendants and current custodians. 

The festival is a truly multi-generational spectacle, with men, women, and children adorned in masks and traditional bilas of all shapes and sizes as they share tumbuna stories of myths from long ago, stories of community, and origin stories.  

In 2024, for the second year, Papua LNG sponsored the event, in recognition of the importance of preserving Papua New Guinea’s rich cultural heritage and celebrating the diverse traditions that define our communities. 

By fostering a deeper appreciation of cultural heritage, the Papua LNG project aims to ensure the continuity of these traditions, reinforcing a sense of belonging and identity within the community.  

The Project is honoured to contribute positively to the lives of individuals and the broader community, encouraging a stronger social fabric and preserving the connection between people and their ancestral heritage. 

During his address to the festival crowds this year, TotalEnergies Public Affairs Manager Richard Kassman highlighted the festival’s role in paying homage to cultural heritage.  

“National heritage is the foundation of our strength. What I’m witnessing today from the various cultural groups is exactly that. We recognize the significance of our culture, bringing back our culture and showcasing it not just for other people but more importantly for our children and the younger generation of your respective villages,” he said. 

“This is a long-term journey, and we want to be with the organizers to ensure we follow that path and truly educate and inspire our younger generation, continuing our partnership of collaboration into the future,” he added.