Taking place from August 21st to 23rd, this three-day festival, also known as the Tana Festival, is a celebration of Bougainville’s rich heritage and unique culture. As the exclusive travel partner for the event, we’re offering an unforgettable travel experience that includes everything from the sights to the sounds, and of course, the food. And the best part? It fits perfectly after the Mount Hagen Show, so you can see both events in one incredible trip.
What the Bougainville?
Bougainville, an island in the Pacific Ocean, is a place like no other. Located just to the east of Papua New Guinea, it boasts a fascinating mix of history, culture, and stunning natural beauty. Bougainville was once at the heart of a brutal civil war, driven by a desire for independence. Today, the region is on the brink of becoming the world’s newest nation, with a 2019 referendum overwhelmingly supporting independence.
But it’s not just the political history that makes Bougainville special. The island’s culture is as vibrant as its people, with over 20 languages spoken and traditions that are celebrated through music, dance, and art. It’s a place where the old and new collide, offering a truly immersive experience.
You can read mire about their struggles in this piece.
What’s the Tana Festival?
The Tana Festival/Bougainville Cultural Show is an unmissable part of Bougainville’s cultural calendar, and for good reason. Not only is it a chance to see traditional dances, music, and arts, but it’s also a food lover’s paradise. The festival is an excellent opportunity to sample local delicacies, from savory meats to unique island flavors that you won’t find anywhere else. Think freshly prepared seafood, exotic fruits, and local dishes that tell the story of Bougainville’s diverse culinary heritage.
As part of our exclusive partnership, the Tana Festival will be held right after the Mount Hagen Show, meaning you can experience both festivals in one epic journey. This is a rare opportunity to enjoy two major cultural events, with enough time to travel comfortably between them.
Click my guide to the festivals of Papua New Guinea.
How Can You Experience the Bougainville Cultural Show?
Join us for this one-of-a-kind adventure. You can combine the Tana Festival with YPT’s Mount Hagen Festival Tour, where you’ll fly back to Port Moresby before heading to Buka. Or, if you prefer, you can make it a standalone trip, meeting your YPT guide in Port Moresby before traveling on to Bougainville
Once you arrive, you’ll get to dive into the festival before exploring everything Bougainville has to offer – from the Yamamoto crash site to stunning island-hopping experiences. But the real highlight is the festival itself, where you can try the local delicacies and experience the island’s rich traditions up close.
Click the links to read about the cuisines of PNG and Bougainville.
This is an experience that’s bound to be popular, so we recommend booking early to secure your spot. Don’t miss out on the chance to see the Bougainville Cultural Show – and taste your way through one of the most fascinating places on earth.
Check out the following links for more details on YPT’s bespoke Papua New Guinea, West Papua, and Bougainville tours
Foodie Tours with The Street Food Guy?
Currently all of my tours are done under the guise of Young Pioneer Tours, with me previously writing an article about Foodie Tours. And while I do not intent to run “Street Food Guy Tours”, there are definitely a few I am leading that have a foodie edge to them.
These include the aforementioned PNG Tours where we try the amassing Mumu, our Least Visited Countries Tour, as well as some we are working on for North Korea, for when of course it does reopen.
Personally I am also excited about leading tours to Libya, South Sudan – (although less for the food) and a personal trip to Morocco that I am really excited about.On my bucket list and indeed another research trip will be traveling from West Papua to PNG while duly comparing cuisines!
As always watch this space…