The Trobriand Islands are a group of scattered and isolated islands found in the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea. The islands were made famous by Bronsilaw Malinowski, who was an anthropologist who published many studies about the Trobriand culture during the early 1900s. What makes the community unique is its distinct social structure that remains far different from one to be found anywhere else in the country.
The islands of Trobriand are about 90 minutes away from the capital of Port Moresby. Ferry services are also available from Alotau by use of Star Ships. The easiest way to get to the group of islands is by air as traveling by vessel may require a lot of time. The Trobriands consist of low-lying coral islands in contrast to their mountain-rich southern neighbors. Trade between the islands has remained to have a strong cultural and economic importance as the pre-European traders have crossed vast districts of open seas to exchange various items. One of the most famous of these trade routes is the Kula Ring.
Inhabitants of the Trobriand Island have both Melanesian and Polynesian features and are thought to have arrived from Polynesia by sea more than a thousand years ago. To this day, there are even scattered remains of stone temples that resemble those from Polynesia. The Trobriands are known to be the “Islands of Love” because of a local custom of encouraging young males and females to engage in romantic behavior right after puberty. This culture is widely misinterpreted by westerners as a form of promiscuity, but for the locals, it is a form of courtship and marriage instead. The purpose of the ritual is to help young men and women find a suitable partner to settle down with. Another unique tradition of the tribe is that married couples are allowed to have a fling with other partners with impunity during the annual yam harvest celebration.
These romantic customs of the islands, however, do not extend to visitors of the island. Many tourists mistake such rituals as a chance to have a bit of “nookie” but leave disappointed. The Trobriand island people are a very proud people as they value their genetic lines and disapprove of relationships between their people and outsiders.
Despite the attempt of many anthropologists, missionaries and TV crews who have followed the works of Malinowski, the Trobriands remain one of the most culturally intact places you could possibly find in the world. One example of the distinct ways of the Trobriands is that their yearly village social calendar is based on the cultivations of the island’s staple food, yam. Although an understanding and use of modern medicine is being used by the locals, the island still maintains a view that in order for women to get pregnant, they must be infused with the spirit of a departed ancestor.
Today, the strong culture and ways of the Trobriand Islands still persist. Some claim that it is good manners to let the paramount chief know that you are visiting the island and explain the reason for your visit. Attesting to the local people’s intact cultural ties, you can almost ask anyone of the islanders to pass the message to the chief as it will surely and eventually reach him.