IT'S NOT JUST A HOBBY


Saturday, January 14, 2012

Papua New Guinea - Traditional Dances (Victory) 2011


Tehnical Details:
Stamp Size: 28.45mm x 42.58mm
Denomination: K1.05, K1.05, K5.00 & K7.00, Souvenir Sheet; K10.00, Sheetlet; K14.10
Quantity Printed: 250,000 Stamps
Sheet Contents: 25 Stamps
Format: Vertical
Perforation: 2mm
Colour: 4 Colour Process
Paper: 102 gsm
Gum: Unwatered mark, PVA Gummed
Printing Technique: Multi Colour Offset Lithography
Designer: Jane Kama Wena, Post PNG Philatelic Production
Printer: Southern Color Print Ltd, NZ
Issue Date: 01 December 2011
Withdrawal Date: 30 June 2012


Stamp Set:
K7.00 - Siasi, Morobe Province
K5.00 - Kandep, Enga Province
K1.05 - Kiriwina, Milne Bay Province
K1.05 - Oro, Northern Province


Souvenir Sheet:
K10.00 - Baining Fire Dancer, East New Britain Province


Souvenir Sheetlet:
K1.05 - Kerowagi, Simbu Province
K1.05 - Tolai, East New Britain Province
K5.00 - Rigo, Central Province
K7.00 - Huli, Southern Highlands Province


Traditional Dances (Victory):
Papua New Guinea, indeed is a land of rich and extraordinary diversity of cultural heritage and new discoveries.


A land where no native written word exists and more than 700 spoken languages. One of the most popular forms of education is through song and dance. Each dance or sing-sing has a special meaning. Sometimes it’s a way to say “hello” and “welcome.” At other times, the ceremonial dance signals a hunting or war victory.


Traditional celebrations, include song, dance, feasting and gift-giving. On these celebrations or special occasions, beautifully painted faces, stunning headdresses, vibrant and colorful traditional costumes adorn the dancers and an array of tumbuna song and dance; each representing and telling a legendary story as each step, twist and jump has its own significance and value.


Among these dances, victory dance is a popular performance and is very common throughout Papua New Guinea.


It reflects the warriors’ training and the skills to attack and defend in mostly tribal wars and hunting trips.


These gesture and body movement demonstrates the use of weapons and the fierceness of the warrior.


Victory dances are emphasized by holding shields and spears or bows and arrows imitating combats or hunting tactics as the body shifts weight. The steps and patterns again varies from region to region. Some performed in a theatrical pattern or without observation formation while others are in square, circle or line formation.


The womenfolks also joins in to celebrate on their husbands or sons’ return from tribal wars or hunting trips especially when they make a kill, which is very common specially in the highlands regions.


Cultural dances build self-esteem and instil pride in both performers and audiences, particularly in the younger generations who are competing rapidly with the forces of modernity and the changing world.


Post PNG Limited is once again very proud to amuse its collectors with stage two (2) of Traditional Dance, featuring Victory Dance as the last stamp issue of 2011.