Geography of Papua New Guinea: The Most Interesting Country in the World?

In my opinion, Papua New Guinea is one of the most interesting countries in the world. The country makes up less than 1% of the world's land mass yet is home to nearly 12% of the world’s languages and contains over 5% of the world's plant and animal species. To outsiders, the people have some of the world’s wildest cultural traditions, and no one knows exactly how many people even live in the country, it could be nearly double the official amount.
Accralate - The Dark Contenent by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommon...

[@GeographyGeek]

Corrections: The cannibalism mentioned in Drew Binsky’s video was in West Papua, Indonesia. Both similar and interesting things going on on that part of the island. Diverse cultures, biodiversity, etc. I’ll talk more about it in a future Indonesia video. Also, I meant vertebrates not animals when talking about the number of species. Lastly, a section is blurred because it showed nudity and the video was age-restricted. I blurred it so the restrictions would be lifted.

[@DeniSaputta]

correction = cannibalism is carried out as a form of punishment, not an activity carried out in everyday life. and the tribe has abandoned that practice

[@amarhadjimurad2363]

What about malay language in border

[@bopndop2347]

@@DeniSaputtato clarify, it was the American/British and Australian evangelicals that eradicated these practises. From what I’ve read, the Americans played a big part. It was also their missions in neighbouring Pacific Islands like Tonga that later brought Tongan missionaries all over PNG

[@zorradone]

Interesting? Indonesia is committing war crimes there!

[@amarhadjimurad2363]

@@zorradone really

[@kanealoha]

Back in 1991 I spent 3 months in Papua New Guinea conducting ethnomusicology research. Most of my time was spent living with the Mbula people on Umboi Island and the Sio people on the coast of Morobe Province. I was also able to spend a few days in the mountains of Eastern Highlands Province and again in the capital of Port Moresby. It’s an experience that shaped the direction of the rest of my life. So many stories to tell. One of the most interesting involved navigating the intricacies of a Cargo Cult mentality, gift giving and the assumption that because I was caucasian, I was Australian and would soon be heading back to Cairns (a city in a country I’d never been to). Another memory which is forever emblazoned in my mind is of walking through the bush on a moonless night and seeing a sky so full of stars that I could barely comprehend the bright intricacy of the heavens. A third was learning as much Tok Pisin as I could to be able to communicate in a place where the language spoken seemed to change from village to village. Finally, catching malaria, (being treated in the local “haus sik”), and recovering again. Thanks for the professionalism and engaging narration supporting this video. I very much appreciate being taken back!

[@jasontempest4233]

As a resident of Cairns, Australia, I can vouch for what you said about heading back to Cairns. Cairns has very strong links with PNG, and we have a large population of PNG nationals living in the city. In fact, many of PNG's elite, business owners, politicians, and anyone with enough money usually have a home in Cairns or another part of Queensland, usually Townsville or Brisbane that they spend all or part of the year in. Literally hundreds of families celebrate PNG's national day on Cairns Esplanade all dressed in Black, Red and Yellow, waving flags, banners and playing various sports. I've only been to PNG once, actually to East New Britain. It was amazing and I would urge anyone to go who wants a real cultural experience in a land that doesn't get many tourists.

[@darudesandstorm5993]

i am interested in studying ethnomusicology, do you have any tips on how to go about doing that ? and maybe career paths

[@AboveNbeyond789]

I wish i could have such wild experiences. Sounds like a wild but amazing place

[@jyy9624]

In the mid 80's my father used to help the PNG government foster a non bartering private sector economy. He worked for the Asian Development Bank and his work involved advice on business regulation and assistance in the form of anchor investments. Although I've never been there his stories, pictures, and native art made me a life long fan.

[@oldgysgt]

Have you thought of writing a book about your stay in Papua New Guinea?

[@finlaycowan3681]

One thing that jumps out about this channel is that Geography Geek always displays photo credits clearly visible... that makes him a throughly decent person. Old school professional.

[@NurseSnow2U]

Agreed. Love his integrity and dedication.

[@MultiSciGeek]

You know people who credit/source things have probably been trained in University. That's why I usually also trust them better.

[@moza337]

Agree

[@tyronejoshua1613]

I can't fathom how diverse Papua new Guinea is sometimes.

[@shriekingbushpigshrieking]

Shirley you can try.

[@xxxBradTxxx]

Don’t call me Shirley

[@lobsterpilot]

I think this is your most well written and best produced video so far. Well done. A fascinating part of the world.

[@GeographyGeek]

Thanks, that means a lot! I‘ve been learning some new editing skills so the videos will look a bit more professional. As far as the writing goes, I’ve been a bit more diligent with the last few videos. If only I can improve my the quality while also writing faster.

[@RcsN505]

Would be nice to have measure in the Metric system though

[@Alphamero101]

I am from PNG ,from the border between PNG& West Papua( Indonesia).PNG is so diverse and mostly isolated with rugged terrains,tropical rainforests and thousands of islands,white sandy beach,blue waters.lost beauty in the pacific

[@waspwrap1235]

Y does Indonesia have control of the west

[@gregorchard7881]

Are you from Tabubil?

[@lewissmith350]

Like teresopolis

[@jimjones1130]

Shame about the homo Erectus inhabitants

[@heidenrosleinmondschein3933]

Nice to see informative videos from outsiders. It's well appreciated 🇵🇬 (also its pronounced like "Sipik")

[@heidenrosleinmondschein3933]

Also, our government just announced that they're finally gonna conduct a new census this year, so I hope the population won't be so unknown soon

[@GeographyGeek]

Ahhh thank you!

[@heidenrosleinmondschein3933]

@@GeographyGeek No problem!😁 I'm actually from the Sepik province so it's nice to see some of our culture explored🐊

[@dudemanismadcool]

Would you say cannibalism still occurs in PNG? I mean how could anyone possibly know right?

[@heidenrosleinmondschein3933]

@@dudemanismadcool Well, it is a crime here and is treated exactly the same as it is anywhere else in the world; with horror and disgust. It was only in 1 provice (out of the 21 provinces) and 1 tribe (out of about 600) that traditionally practiced cannibalism in their cultural rituals, (obviously they don't anymore) but sadly our whole country gets labelled as the "Cannibal Country"🥲

[@benmcreynolds8581]

Would be cool to see a second video that just focuses on detailing the geography and different aspects of the ecosystem, habitats & biodiversity... It's such a fascinating place.

[@nikkistephens4568]

Great video! I grew up in PNG. My mum is one of the elders from the Asaro, Mudman Tribe (Goroka, Eastern Highlands). It's such a beautiful country that has so much to offer.

[@MarinaMontserrat]

🙋🏻‍♀️Greetings from Barcelona Your country with rainforests, mountains, islands, exotic flora and fauna and best of all, so many tribes and different languages... is like another world for me living by the mediterranean sea Happy you keep your traditions

[@fiornato6393]

Are u living abroad now?

[@alexpolhill5840]

Now imagine if Indonesia didn’t have the other half

[@pimab3653]

Free West-Papua

[@rizkyadiyanto7922]

if indonesia didnt have it, the dutch would have have it.

[@revinhatol]

PNG would over DOUBLE its land area.

[@DeniSaputta]

​@@pimab3653imagine if England had not seized Australia's native land

[@DeniSaputta]

​@@revinhatol PNG is Jerman and British Colonial

[@caracaracoral9847]

i wish to go to papua new guinea someday to observe some of the most traditional ways of life that still exist.

[@rstous7691]

While people still live in the bush, many of the traditional beliefs have gone away. Most consider themselves some sort of Christian, though they tend to mix aspects of their former beliefs in. These days, traditional dances and the like are for show and stripped of the original purposes.

[@heidenrosleinmondschein3933]

​@@rstous7691 really? A lot of the dances are still taught with the original meanings or what they symbolize in mind, like if a certain dance represents the act of hunting or paddling in a boat. I'm not sure abt "original purposes" but at least they're still taught their significant meanings (at least from what I've personally seen, since I don't know if this rings true for every single dance being taught🤔)

[@wbbartlett]

hopefully this doesn't include the ingrained, systemic abuse of women

[@caracaracoral9847]

@@wbbartlett although very unexeptable and globaly ilegal now, it is still an aspect of early traditional life that can not be forgotten

[@rstous7691]

@@heidenrosleinmondschein3933 you're right, I should clarify that my experience is mostly Madang region costal mountains. Here, dancing is associated with warfare, especially as a way to prepare for battle. Kind of like a berserker trance, but with a heavy spiritual connotation. So when war/cannibalism was made tambu, dancing was a part of that. But yeah, many different cultures across the nation!

[@lisadolan689]

Born in PNG. Not a National but always wantok. The most incredible country in the world. End of story.

[@埊]

I hae not been borin into PNG but into JPG.

[@davidk9212]

Your from a different dimension all together. I'd say your practical an alien 👽, cue the X-Files theme song 🎵

[@omarfaruque98xy]

It's not even a country. Bunch of tribal pagan savages. Lol most incredible country my ass.

[@unnamedchannel1237]

A friend of mine was working on oil rigs there . A young boy you as drowning and my friend swam and recused the boy . The boy was not breathing so he started performing mouth to mouth / CPR. The locals didn’t understand and they began beating my friend for trying to steal the boys breath and soul . He had to be taken out of the work situation as the local tribe were going to find him and kill him. They ended up sending my friend back home

[@dariuszhorvath-krol8540]

And THATS called being primitive NOISS

[@CuriousConnoisseurs]

Well if a White Dude is putting his mouth on a child - thats never look good.

[@Mikcrynouse]

That's sad, i hope your friend is doing well now

[@HENDUJais]

Most of our people are illiterate even to this day. I'am sorry your friend had to go through this.

[@shiekzelda3929]

Not surprising. That’s why you gotta be careful with the tribes. Some, probably most, are not updated to the world today,so whatever they don’t know they will try to figure it out with spiritual reasoning like when the locals thought your friend was stealing the boy’s breath. Also it’s common if one does wrong to another, the tribe of the person wronged will come after you, so it’s good your friend got out, but sad for the misunderstanding.

[@gino.avanzini]

Loved the video! However, it would be nice to include on screen an asterisk to translate imperial units into metric units

[@GeographyGeek]

I appreciate it! Sorry about that. I usually do and forgot.

[@flintliddon]

Please do not do that. It’s fine.

[@dreluismauad]

@@flintliddonwhy wouldn’t they do that😂 give me one good reason.

[@LukeBunyip]

@@flintliddon My kilometrage differs

[@flintliddon]

@@LukeBunyip you metricheads will never learn to convert to the vastly superior imperial system if weights and measures if people like this video producer do all the hard work for you.

[@simelanem]

Wow I am Zulu from South Africa, in my culture a bride is not allowed to call the male elders from the husband’s family by name or use that name ever so our language has developed in such a way that most things have a normal name and also a “respect” name. If the elder’s name is Water, the bride will never use the word water and will refer to water by it’s “respect or alternative name”

[@RussellTarowe]

In my father and mother's tribe it is also taboo to call our uncle o aunts by name, we just call them uncle or aunty.

[@freddykuno]

I'm curious. Why is it taboo? How is it understood as disrespect to call them by their name? For us, to call someone by their Name is acknowledging their existence so avoiding that seems disrespectful - I'm happy to hear the context of this tradition.

[@simelanem]

@@freddykuno We don’t call our elders by name. We are not supposed to even do it in their absence, (but we do 😀). If you ask me my father’s name I can tell you but my wife can’t, if his name was Money she can’t use that word ever, she will have to use a substitute. It’s just our culture

[@freddykuno]

@@simelanem that's very Interesting! So if the name was money and she can not say that, what would be the respect name for money?

[@tomlives]

It's very interesting that our Zulu friend above also has this kustom. That was the same in Vanuatu when I visited a Small Namba tribe on Malekula. Can't use in-laws names or your sibling's spouse name either. I think it's related to limiting gossip and infidelities. My rationale is that if this happens internationally in far flung cultures, it must perform valuable function. Thanks the sharing 🤙🏻😊

[@jessewalker1138]

You could also have mentioned how crazily resource rich PNG is from gold mining, to gas extraction, tree logging, coffee, tea, fishing, cane sugar, tobacco, and so much else. It's a heavily resource rich country. How all of it is managed and where that wealth is extracted / distributed is a different matter though. Speaking as someone who grew up in PNG from age 3 to 13 (1990-9) in Port Moresby, Mendi, Madang and Lae. I appreciate your attempts at pronouncing things, and if you ever need help with that for PNG on a future video, then please do reach out and I can give you some quick lessons!

[@Lynuxfly]

I grew up around in madang at that time also! What a time to be a kid there. Best childhood

[@hadassahbatchen7680]

Even in my mum's Island the village people would dive for diamonds and in my dad's village, the gas comes out of the ground even the oil. There's alot more to be discovered. We are blessed that the land is own by the people through their tribes that's why the government can't do much. But again our government is so corrupt.

[@nightcall708]

Do you think you can add a little note when you talk about pound/feet that translate to kilogrammes/meters ? Love your videos !

[@GeographyGeek]

My bad, I usually do but it slipped my mind. I appreciate it!

[@AL-lh2ht]

Wai, what is a meter? We use freedom units here son!

[@rais1953]

​@@AL-lh2ht PNG like all advanced countries uses metric units. You might do well to catch up.

[@CCL0286]

​@@rais1953get a sense of humor

[@risenshine2783]

Do it yourself!

[@johannphysio4977]

Excellent video- your voice is professional and clear.

[@MrLiquid323]

I think that is an ai speaking

[@davidclarke9835]

It's a wonderful place. Unique in so many ways. Have been there a few times and always hungry to return.

[@newstartsounds6166]

Any recommendation where to go for 1st time vizitor?

[@DavidJimenez-wv7gh]

great video, only one suggestion, please use the metric system when describing geographic and other features. it's hard for the rest of the world to get an idea of that measurements

[@levitatingoctahedron922]

nah, america rules the world, y'all can adjust.

[@kinexkid]

Papua New Guinea is also where the thylacine might still exist at. Forrest Gallante has a really interesting video he recently put out on it

[@GeographyGeek]

Ah interesting. I’ll check it out.

[@ForrestMccroy]

No reason to spread that information around. Does more harm than good. I’m not sure why Galapante would do a video revealing that. Imo that was extremely irresponsible and borderline malevolent. If thylacine does still exist, we want to draw as little attention to it as possible in order to keep it safe. Criminals will happily trek out into the wilderness and camp for weeks searching if they think they could find a thylacine and sell it to some disgusting “collector” for a few millions

[@PIB936]

Still exists in the western province of Papua New Guinea

[@crocodilopolis]

The thylacine is gone and we have to accept that. And preserve other species into the future.

[@埊]

waht is thilazinwe??

[@bryanodriscoll2123]

I was interested to once read about the report of an Australian soldier from his time fighting the Japanese there during the war. He stated that once he went to relieve himself in the jungle and came across a huge emerald-coloured spider that he estimated measured at least three feet across. That would be very interesting if such a specimen could be located now.

[@em_mkay]

i’m a Kiwi, i departed to Papua New Guinea for a few days instead of going straight back to my hometown Tauranga from Raja Ampat in the final days of my trip to Indonesia and it’s so beautiful and diverse. it’s so unique and different from the other places in the world i’ve been to, even Australia.

[@pamelaban15]

Thank you for a well done documentry ❤🇵🇬

[@mathewward6229]

Love seeing a clip about home.

[@aiocafea]

3:10 interestingly, many old europeans seem to have similar stories for the words for bear and wolf judging by comparative linguistics wonderful video!

[@PjRjHj]

Australia has enough sense to not pretend to dominate PNG after being granted Germany's "possessions" after WW1. But we did pass on Rugby League

[@tsherwood2112]

Imagine how good the Kumuls would be if players actually played for them. So many eligible players play for Australia instead

[@somekindofdude1130]

Hasnt Australia stolen the rights of west Papa oil?

[@VictorLaMonde]

PNG was an Australian territory up until independence in 1975.

[@Andrew-df1dr]

Australia left PNG to be a third world state. They weren't ready for independence.

[@KumulKrew-s6h]

Australia saw that Papua New Guineans were not like most of Australian Aboriginals - Nomads, so they gave independence early and left.

[@lisadolan689]

There are hundreds of thousands of people who speak Tok pisin. There are 850+ languages and the same + number of villages. Tribal law reigns. Common law is second. There is great hope for the future for this golden country.

[@dbvetter7485]

I lived in Papua New Guinea as a kid in the 70’s. My parents were missionaries. Being from Philadelphia, Pa it was the best 5 years of my life.

[@francesgardner7070]

Philadelphia mentioned 🥨🔔🦅

[@francesgardner7070]

(am also from there lol)

[@dorothyambuk7655]

You'll definitely never forget that part of your life. In the 70s some of our people were still wearing grass skirts and could not speak English or Tok Pisin. Greetings from PNG.

[@dbvetter7485]

@@dorothyambuk7655 yes hardly of the Nationals (as were to call them) knew pigin English, we even meet people from high in the mountains that never saw white people. It was so funny being only 15 years old I was very scared of them but they were equally afraid. Our family left in October 1975 not even a month after PNG received its independence from Australia. In my 60’s I still think of PNG every day. Almost 50 years since I’ve been there.

[@RobertRodgers-r5h]

Thank you for this.

[@manuaiipondraken8376]

A lot of things you mention is only specific to certain tribes or places. We have more than 1000 tribes and our culture and language differ from one another. PNG is if not, the most complex nation on earth. But we can show the world that despite our diversity, we are united as one nation, one people, one Papua New Guinea.🇵🇬🇵🇬

[@Andrew-df1dr]

It doesn't even have a road linking Port Moresby with Lae and other northern cities.

[@AtteR04]

​@@Andrew-df1drYeah, not much of a country

[@justbe1451]

Great information i realize i had no idea about! Loved it. I wonder what country trusts their government?

[@chegeny]

I'd reckon wealthy democratic nations with the lowest income inequality have the happiest people who trust their governments, like New Zealand, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, Scandinavian countries, etc.

[@1258-Eckhart]

I grew up in England and it never occurred to me why I should distrust the government.

[@jointcerulean3350]

It’s likely mekosuchus the dwarf tree climbing land crocodile could still persist in New Guinea, as well as the thylacine which has reported sightings, and other possible megafauna species

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

theres an enourmous extinct volcano so deep in dense rainforest that tribes that live on either side rarely see or speak to eachother. because of this they have two totally differnt languages from eachother. This crater has been marked as one of particular interest as the flora and fauna living in the crater may be undiscovered still.

[@sue-yc]

This is video was truely informative and very well conveyed!

[@cardinal_thrill5]

Been so fascinated recently by how it snows there!

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

there are peaks on the indonesian end of the island that regularly snow over as well. some of these peaks (6 of them in fact) are higher then PNG's highest peak (mt wilhelm), which does snow at times also. This is an island in the tropics lol

[@johnnypoker46]

I can think of characteristics that would be more attractive to me as a tourist than the existence of cannibals at my destination

[@GeographyGeek]

There’s a lot of “dark tourists” out there. But yeah I’m good too.

[@bopndop2347]

PNG is a great holiday destination, if you can afford it…

[@Whoretensia]

The cassowary is a dinosaur turkey. Change my mind.

[@niuginiannative5517]

It's also delicious

[@karibo6468]

​@niuginiannative5517 You have to have T'Rex's teeth to chew on cassowary meat.

[@fiornato6393]

Very great video, Can you make one about west papua as well? West papua still have so many uniqeness to offer from culture, social, tribe, languange, history etc. Will be another great topic to cover

[@WORLDCRUSHER9000]

Fabricating rumors of cannibals to attract tourists is an interesting strategy

[@lisadolan689]

Good Lord! 🤦🏼‍♀️ sometimes you should say nothing.

[@malicktjmatiabeyuwi7587]

Cannibalism started in Europe spread to Australia NZ USA and Canada

[@rodgabase5299]

If you look at the old maps, PNG was not marked. The sailors knew it was there. However, no one wanted to go ashore. Those who did often didn't come back.

[@oxxnarrdflame8865]

Interesting, throughly enjoyed it.

[@levitatingoctahedron922]

"it's a good thing that their culture has remained intact" "hopefully their economy and education will improve" Well, which one do you want? You can't have and eat cake.

[@dihexa7256]

Greetings from Papua New Guinea, a kilogram of very strong weed is only $4 here

[@HighzMuzik]

😂😂😂

[@newstartsounds6166]

Good 2 know 👌

[@cvspvr]

holy shit!

[@SanityDrop]

Truly a paradise

[@Random_UserName4269]

As an English speaker, I can naturally read more Dutch, than I can Tok Pisin and the latter is based on English. wow!

[@rais1953]

Tok Pisin has a lot of English derived vocabulary but a different language structure. Dutch has many common words with English and a similar language structure.

[@Random_UserName4269]

@@rais1953 So Tok Pisin to English, is like English to French. Thanks for clarifying!

[@rais1953]

@@Random_UserName4269 Are you a French speaker having a sly dig at English? :) Assuming you're serious, no. French and English are both Indo-European languages and their grammatical assumptions are similar although I found French a bit more complicated than my native English. Tok Pisin is more like a Melanesian language and English speakers unfamiliar with the principles may find it challenging at first. For example English and French have a first person plural "we, nous".Tok Pisin is more specific. There's inclusive yumitupela ‘we’ meaning, literally, ‘you and me’; in contrast, the exclusive mitupela ‘we’ means ‘me and somebody else other than you.’ The forms yumitupela and mitupela are dual and denote ‘two,’ in contrast to mitripela ‘the three of us (excluding you)’ and mipela ‘all of us (excluding you).'

[@ThomasOrtlaufpg]

A somewhat good, interest generating introduction, but due to its shortness, way too superficial, with too much focus on the traditional tribal aspects. There's also the religious side of today's Papua New Guinea (PNG) regarding itself, due to its colonial history, as a Christian country/nation (with hundreds of different denominations/churches). Another aspect is the fact that PNG is quite a successful democratic country (next year, in 2025, will be PNG's big 50th Independence celebration), with its unique and impressively crafted home grown constitution, which today is basically still the same and which was developed by means of an arduously conducted nationwide consultation process in order to apply the Melanesian values of participation, consultation, and consensus right from the beginning when laying down the foundations for this unique nation of a thousand tribes. Last, but not least, there's also the modern urban sphere with its more secular western way of life, in particular in the national capital city, Port Moresby. Papua New Guinea is proud of its diverse tribal traditions, and as mentioned, trying to preserve them is one of the National Goals and Directive Principles enshrined in the constitution. However, as PNG is developing and modernising, there are lots of tensions and conflicts between the old ways and the new ways (the problem of domestic violence was mentioned), between the traditional tribal value system(s), the Christian value system, and the modern secular value system, which all together make up today's Papua New Guinea.

[@imulippo5245]

"Distrust in government" sounds like these are normal people.

[@savannah115]

Indigenious distrust of the government is much more legit than "normal" distrust of the government.

[@1258-Eckhart]

@@savannah115 Pure American dissemblance. There is no difference.

[@AtteR04]

​@@savannah115"Ooh so exotic"

[@richardbaker2701]

As an Australian who’s basically just next door to this complete other world, this is a stark reminder that we Europeans are a lomg way from home

[@kanani7410]

Yeah it’s really crazy to think about how different Australia is from PNG. They’re so close geographically yet Australia is culturally and lifestyle wise closer to USA, UK, etc…

[@Glock18401]

I live in southeast Asia and some of my friend thought Australia and new Zealand is in Europe. But when I show the map,they were shocked to see a land that was inhabited by the Europeans were not really that far from Asia.

[@kidsaresodelicious9666]

Australia is neighbour of Indonesia.

[@Lana-xd7ey]

Australia and new Zealand are European

[@pacificislanderbisrock]

@@Lana-xd7eyno, they're not

[@AlexanderWeurding]

Thanks for sharing!

[@ngumzakwanza8495]

WHAT'S SO INTERESTING ABOUT PAPUA NEW GUINEA IS IT IS THE MOST DIVERSE AND HAS THE MOST LANGUAGES. HOWEVER, A LOT OF THESE TRIBES ARE IN CONFLICT AND LARGE AMOUNTS OF LANGUAGES ARE NOW ENDANGERED.

[@dr.floridaman4805]

Endangered? In the grand scheme of things it doesn't matter

[@same7319]

Why’re you yelling?!

[@eldeosa]

WHY ARE YOU YELLING???

[@TheAnonymousKnightOfJustice]

Writing not yelling lol

[@kennethhammond4028]

All the better to see you with.😅

[@James-xu3vc]

Thank you ❤❤

[@jbjaguar2717]

Word tabboos are pretty common here in Europe so I don't find that exotic. In the UK/Ireland, one tabboo word is 'devil' as reflected in the saying 'speak of the devil'. 'Cancer' is another one. On mainland Europe, you'll still find some rural people who will avoid saying 'wolf' or 'bear', especially if they're out hiking in the woods. Indeed, the word 'medved', meaning 'bear' in Slavic languages means 'honey eater', while the German word 'baer' means 'brown'. So it's clear that our ancient European ancestors probably had a tabboo on the original word for 'bear', which over time was forgotten.

[@lsuzicosbw644]

Fascinating thank you

[@RcsN505]

Great video but could you please give measures also in the metric system? 99% of the world uses it.

[@levitatingoctahedron922]

america rules the world, get over it. adjust, since you all act like you're smarter than us anyway it should be easy.

[@PositiveVibesOnly5774]

9:34 Drew Binski's video on cannibalism is about the Korowai from West Papua in Indonesia. BTW, you didn't mention rugby league

[@LWVH81]

I lived in Papua New Guinea for two years. It’s wonderful.

[@thvtsydneylyf3th077]

what did u doa nd where

[@1258-Eckhart]

So why didn't you stay?

[@MGharriy]

​@@1258-Eckhart Thats like saying "If you love burgers so much, why dont you eat it everyday and for a living?"

[@DesmondOa-b5m]

How beautiful it is for someone outside to see us PNGs. Thank you.

[@MultiSciGeek]

Very interesting indeed. You'd expect it to be similar to Indonesia or Aboriginal Australia, but it's still quite different. I'd love to see a comparison video on the main island versus Indonesia. The same way Haiti and Dominican Republic are split down the middle, yet vastly different in almost every way.

[@PhysioAl1]

Great content 👌

[@dblw5]

have put doing the Kokoda trail on my bucket list and this video somehow makes me want to go more

[@NFLBREAKINGNEWS-m7i]

ok very good video

[@anthonyfamularo8875]

Heh, speaking of language differences, I thought you were saying that the cassowary was "usually SHOT," and it took longer than I want to admit to figure out that you said "shy". :-)

[@MarquezerrrFIGHTFAN]

Greetings from Madang!

[@leohorishny9561]

Amazing the number of commenters with 1st hand knowledge and experience from such a remote part of the world.

[@Andrew-df1dr]

Australia gave independence to PNG far too early. Australia had an obligation to build up infrastructure and leave PNG in a position where it's main institutions were established and ready to go. Look at PNG now. There isn't even a road connecting the north side of their half of New Guinea with the southern side - not even a coast road.

[@MoncœrCoyoteSmith]

The people don't want any of that. They are fine and happy. Like the Star Trek Prime Directive.

[@Andrew-df1dr]

@@MoncœrCoyoteSmith I like that analysis,

[@AtteR04]

I don't think they would have been able to maintain any of it

[@P4Tri0t420]

Just on the Westside of the Island those many cultures and languages are being suppressed....

[@Gawainer]

Great documentary!

[@GeographyGeek]

Thank you!

[@trostlefilms]

Papua New Guinea is so incredible

[@thematthew761]

The whole island in general

[@fedeph665]

90% of the planet don't use feet or pounds to measure stuff, i recommend u saying it too in the metric system so people from other parts of the world can understand!

[@Onlyy_Robloxx]

At 3:54 the little girl just gets sucked into that crowd 💀

[@Scott-fj9uf]

For some unusual reason I have had nightmares that have happened in my mind’s Papua New Guinea. So I have this slight irrational fear of if. The mind is a strange critter. 🧠 🇵🇬

[@sylviaalger4917]

Cannibalism as a tourist attraction…that’s a brand new idea to me!

[@SavageDragon999]

New Guinea is the most interesting island in the world.

[@getsmart3701]

An excellent book on Papua New Guinea is: Throwim way leg by Tim Flannery. That book ignited a passion in me to want to visit the Papuan highlands with a mate (nothing offical and limited funds) until real world considerations eventually extinguished the flame. Papuans I worked with seriously adviced against it, guides on the Kokoda Trail I know said that we'd be mad to go bush on something unofficial, that the potential of violence in the remote bush areas is extremely high as reported by all sources and the need for a local guide and guard(s) was more than just advised to us but seen as essential. I thought "f**k that for a joke", I don't need that in my life and went to Bolivia instead. I wonder if anyone has actually gone alone (not with a university, research group or into the bush and what their experiences were.

[@østkantproprietæren]

00:00 As an entomology-interested guy, I agree. Top 1 country I want to travel to.

[@Hardcastle83]

I feel like it wasn't stressed enough how long continuous cultures have lived there (many tens of thousands of years), which in turn explains the great diversity of cultures and languages.

[@ckubox6733]

This video could have been an essay on any west African country and it wouldn't miss a beat,from the languages to the superstitions.

[@rais1953]

Have you spent time in many West African countries?

[@ikengaspirit3063]

Black Unity.

[@christomagi3722]

PNG people are good. 😮Sayeth Willy, global circumnavigater!🥳🫡

[@sahulianhooligan7046]

Papua New Guinea was named after the West Africa region

[@anmweather8668]

That’s one cultured country.

[@JOHN----DOE]

Short version: the lush climate and geographic isolation created human groups who are like the Birds of Paradise--highly diverse, successful and stable on a low-tech level, able to spend a whole lotta time doing wildly various kinds of displays (linguistic and feathered).

[@ras573]

In the Balkans, mainly Serbia, you traditionally keep your first name a secret. People refer to you by some nickname, and only the ones you trust, know your real name. I believe this is, because in evil magic, and curses, you need the real name of that person.

[@Nachos237]

I wonder how similar West Papua is

[@rizkyadiyanto7922]

theyre more civilized.

[@RobbinFlowers]

That depends on ones perception of "civilized." ​@rizkyadiyanto7922

[@lontongstroong]

Less populated yet more urban, significantly better HDI. The ability of local registry in more accurately estimating the population (as contrary to PNG's wildly off prediction) is a testament of better state capacity as well.

[@273-e1k]

Also more Javanese settlers

[@lontongstroong]

@@273-e1k And Buginese, Minahasans, Bataks, Minangs, Mollucans etc.

[@simongiesen2664]

2:40 you mention the taboo surrounding the name of tye cassowary. I find it fascinating that most European languages do the same thing. The word "bear" originally meant "the brown one" or "the wild animal". If you said the original name (probably something like Arktos in classical Greek), a bear might come and attack you. Of course, there are no bears in PNG, but it's amazing how people on the other side of the world have the exact same beliefs about an equally deadly animal.

[@levitatingoctahedron922]

lol a 600lb bear is a lot more dangerous than a 90lb cassowary

[@Congomania]

My Kongooooo. Glad to see you thriving. Please get in touch Paapooooua😢😢

[@tomster1414]

Spent a year in PNG and to be honest couldn't wait to get out !

[@waspwrap1235]

2:57 6 1/2 ft = 1.98 m 130 lb = 59 kg

[@PeasantKing-od5lg]

Why have we not taken over this place. As a colonizer, I want this place.

[@niuginiannative5517]

You should try.

[@anthonybird546]

Please do not disturb the living dinosaur. "You mean the casso-" DO NOT! (Threatening cassowary sounds faintly)

[@paysan7996]

it’s ONE island fer chrissakes includes west irian jeez a straight line border is utterly bogus

[@selcatron]

I know PNG has especially diverse number of species because of the terrain and location but it also kind of a reflection of how much people ruin things. :( Also you sort of addressed it but the cannibalism is taught in school in medical fields as an example of prion disease processes- I think it remains that way because there aren't that many examples of outbreaks and something we do not know a lot about unfortunately. I am sure the books mention it is not a practice now but may not be part people remember as often. It looks so beautiful

[@snxdowkdn]

Rumors of cannibalism to boost tourism? Pf pretty much guaranteed i wont be going there 😂

[@ikengaspirit3063]

I guess, ur not the target audience.

[@punk46664]

Tourism implies a return trip, I don't think that's included here

[@shiekzelda3929]

lol but in all honesty, that was in the old days. My U.S friends stayed there for 7 years (when they were 14) and they came back just fine. You’ll be fine.

[@RobespierreThePoof]

If true, that would be highly ironic. There are cases in other Pacific cultures where rumors of cannibalism used to be circulated to keep Europeans away.

[@KenHubbard-jz1vq]

EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. ,PORT MORESBY THE CAPITAL AND EVEN WORSE WHEN YOU VENTURE OUT SIDE THE CITY

[@Sensirebel]

It depends on where you go, most of the country outside the cities are actually safer especially around coastal and island areas, many friendly locals.

[@KenHubbard-jz1vq]

@@Sensirebel WELL FOR ALL THAT ITS SAFER IN N G THAN IN ANY LARGE CITY IN AMERICA , I ACTUALLY LIKED N G AUSTRALIAN NORTHER TERRITORY IS AN EXCITING PLACE SOME EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL COUNTRY THE BLACKFELLOWS LIVE ROUGH STILL HOLDING ON TO THE TRADITIONS

[@michaelk1262]

Why all caps boomer?

[@KenHubbard-jz1vq]

@@michaelk1262 MOSTLY I'VE ONLY GOT 1 EYE AND. 40 % VISION IN THE LEFT EYE AND I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO SEND MESSAGES IF THE LETTERS ARE SMALL CASE , I SUPPOSE. THIS IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU TURN 80. MY APOLOGIES FOR INCONVENIENCING YOU ♿👁️‍🗨️🥕🥕🥕🥕

[@crocodilopolis]

​@@KenHubbard-jz1vqthe what??

[@jahjoeka]

Wow i didn't know tree kangaroos were a thing. Even after 34 years on this planet, there's always new animals I never heard of.

[@grappino_]

I happened upon this video and although I enjoyed it (I love geography) I would like to give a couple of pointers to help you improve the quality of future videos - improve the microphone audio - speak in a less robotic manner - add music in the background to accompany the speech - add English subtitles for non-native speakers (they help a lot to follow the video)

[@1258-Eckhart]

The microphone audio was very good quality. The speaker was eloquent and well-spoken, he won my sympathy. Music disturbs and also distracts, it should never be used as mere accompaniment. His English was so good that subtitles are not needed. The video has a truly excellent quality. No changes need here be made.

[@grappino_]

@@1258-Eckhart I appreciate your input, but consider this: - even good audio can be improved in terms of clarity on all devices, and I can assure you that that audio could improve a lot, even with just a little bit of the right EQ - a more conversational style could increase engagement and sound less like AI-generated content that are often of low quality - subtle background music, if balanced, can enhance the experience, as well as, if used wisely, increase the emphasis of the video in the connecting parts between chapters - subtitles improve accessibility and help non-native speakers, there is no reason to be against them, they are an addition that can be turned off at will. It is not a matter of bad English, but of having an aid to follow the video for many who would otherwise end up closing the video (resulting in damage to the reach of the algorithm, by the way)

[@landotter]

wild is a modest term 🫢🫣

[@landotter]

3:34 interesting

[@nobody687]

That's a tourist attraction I think I'll pass on. Visiting cannibals isn't on my bucket list

[@nobody687]

@@Nagin-zt6sc didn't you watch the whole thing ??

[@nobody687]

@@Nagin-zt6sc yeah, so. Go up in the mountains and ask around

[@Hollywood2021]

*comment deleted by the PC police* Ok I'll try again if that satisfies the professionally offended... Eating people is definitely wrong Never bring BBQ sauce to someone's witch trial, because that would be wrong

[@heidenrosleinmondschein3933]

​@@Nagin-zt6sc Bro, it's probably better if some ignorant racist doesn't come here lol. larim em stap insait long liklik geman hap blon em. Also nice to see some wantoks on this side of KZbin 🇵🇬😊

[@nobody687]

@@Nagin-zt6sc did you watch the video. Ask him where he got the information from. And you have to admit that there are plenty of tribes in png that you know nothing about

[@Rob-ze1wi]

Was lucky to spend 8 werks in the southern Highlands. lookim u behind!

[@SixHundredandThirteen]

On a map it reminds me of DR and Haiti

[@DinoCasino2527]

The island has the shape of an Emu 😮

[@Kevs442]

I recall my grandfather telling stories of being in PNG during WW2. It doesn't sound like it has changed much since then.

[@rais1953]

Much of it hasn't. Unlike the more advanced western half of the island where the Indonesian government wants the population to commit to Indonesia.

[@shiekzelda3929]

There’s still battle planes that have crashed from WW2 in PNG. And who knows maybe more are out there but still to be discovered. It’s kinda cool yet scary to think of the history behind it.

[@DonaldJonathan-cy9td]

There's has been ALOT of developments done throughout the country and much more better, uts only our current prime minister causing havoc in the country

[@jimjones1130]

Reminds me of Springfield

[@AtteR04]

:D