1. Experience the rich cultures
of the Foe, Fasu, Bosavi and
Huli. Learn about the history
of the Kutubu region
through its people and truly
scenic natural surroundings.
Enjoy the following:
 Digaso Demonstration
& Trade Roleplaying
 Art & Craftwork
 Traditional Dances
 Sago Making
A n e v e n t
s h o w c a s i n g t h e
c u l t u r a l h e r i t a g e
o f t h e p e o p l e o f
K u t u b u r e g i o n
6th Kutubu
Kundu &Digaso
Festival
Daga Village—
Pimaga, Kutubu,
Southern Highlands
Province, Papua
New Guinea
“Tingim Gut
Bihain Bilong
Yumi”
A women's „singsing‟ group.
Front Page: Kutubu Foe man in
traditional attire.
23rd—24th Sept, 2016
Visitors Information
All visitors are welcome. Please make your own
travel arrangements in advance.
How To Get There:
1. Air—PNG Air operates from Port Moresby
to Moro three times a week. Air Niugini
flies to Mendi about four times weekly.
Consult your travel agent for fares and
discounts.
2. Land—PMVs operate on upgraded road
between Mendi & Pimaga @K30, and Mo-
ro & Pimaga @K20.
Accommodation:
Stay at Tubo Lodge (K150/night) or Local Kutubu
Guest Houses (rates from K150-K200/night).
Saina Jeffrey, Worldwide Fund for Nature
(+675) 71329736 / 73330877 jeffreysaina@gmail.com
Cathy Alex, Advancing PNG: Women Leaders Network Inc
PO Box 6685, Boroko, NCD
(+675) 72074713 cathy.alex77@yahoo.com
James Irimaru, Chairman, Kutubu Kundu & Digaso Festival
(+675) 73361939 festivalkuts017@gmail.com
Andrew Igimabo, Deputy Chairman
Kutubu Kundu & Digaso Festival
(+675) 79220833 festivalkuts017@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/
Kutubu Kundu and Digaso
Festival

2. Background
The Kutubu region
in the Kikori River
basin is one of the
world‟s last great
wilderness areas
that includes fasci-
nating landscapes
of places such as
Lake Kutubu,
Mount Bosavi
and the Hegigio
River gorge.
Lake Kutubu is located 50km south-
west of Mendi in the Southern High-
lands. It is about 19km long, 4km
wide at its widest point and sits at
800m above sea level. Amidst
PNG‟s rugged mountains Lake Ku-
tubu is one of the few lakes of any
size in the hinterland country. It is
the largest upland lake in the coun-
try and the third-largest lake after
Chambri Lakes (East Sepik) and
Lake Murray (Western).
The Signi fica nc e o f Ku tubu Culture
The Fasu, Foe and a minority of Huli-speaking
people populate the Kutubu region, however,
the little-known Foe culture is dying out. The
Kutubu Kundu & Digaso Festival aims to revive
the culture of the Foe people, as well as that
of neighboring groups such as Fasu, Huli, Bosa-
vi, Samberigi and Kikori in the coming years.
This year‟s theme is “Tingim gut bihain bilong
yumi” which translates to “Think about our fu-
ture”.
The Foe people are an ethnic group who dwell
east of Lake Kutubu, in the Mubi River valley.
They are one of 16 main language groups
found in the Southern Highlands. Traditionally,
Foe men lived in longhouses based on totemic
patrilineal clans. The Foe relate to their Fasu
and Bosavi neighbors culturally, whilst they
hold ties to the Huli people through historical
trade links. Digaso Oil was the only commodity
traditionally
produced by
the Fasu,
Bosavi and
Foe, and this
was traded
with the
Huli. The
Huli used
this oil for decorating their bodies, hence, the
name of the title, the other being the Kundu
Drum, an important part of Foe culture.
Kundu , Digas o Oil & Trad ing
The environment of the Kutubu
people and their role as middlemen
in traditional trade networks be-
tween coastal and highland com-
munities has sustained their cultural
heritage for many years.
Besides colorful body art and body
ornamentation, Digaso Oil holds a
special place in the people‟s cultur-
al identity and trade networks—this
oil was traded with the Huli people
for pigs, salt and stone axe blades.
The trade also involved pearl shell
and cowrie from the Bosavi people
en route from coastal areas.
Foe people have unique Kundu
dance ceremonies utilizing fishtail
and round-headed Kundu Drums,
each with its own unique sound,
complemented by chants and
dance patterns. These ceremonies
were performed exclusively in the
longhouses.
Celebrating Six
Years of Kutubu
Kundu & Digaso
Festival
Map of SHP show-
ing location of Lake
Kutubu.
The Huli adorn their bodies with Digaso.
Kutubu Longhouse in a village.