Baining Fire Dance in East New Britain ∞ ANYWAYINAWAY

Baining Fire Dance

East New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea

The Baining Fire Dance is a sacred ceremony unique to the Baining people living in East New Britain Province of Papua New Guinea.

The Baining Fire Dances are performed only on special occasions such as the male initiation, and were traditionally reserved only for men. For the occasion of the fire dance, the initiated young boys, wearing giant stunning masks, dance barefoot on fire under the hypnotising chanting and bamboo thumping. The dances start at dusk and go on all night.

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Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain — The dancers, the initiated young Baining men, suddenly appear from the darkness wearing their stunning masks with giant eyes gazing wildly around

Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain — Shamanic-looking man in a conical hat, called “Lingen”, will be leading the spirits of the night during the Baining Fire Dance

Man in a conical hat proves to be the most energetic among all the dancers

Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain — Dancers are getting closer and closer to the fire as if building up their confidence and kicking the embers as if testing the heat

Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain — One by one, men dance solo in front of the chorus for the duration of the song before joining other men around the fire

Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain — During the dance ritual performance, some men are walking around the fire with beautifully painted banners made of bark cloth

Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain — Initiated young men, wearing stunning giant masks, dance barefoot on fire

Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain

Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain — Flames of giant fire illuminate the dancers’ stunning masks making them look like mysterious creatures

Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain — Some men frantically dance barefoot in the middle of the blazing fire for 10-15 seconds almost engulfed by flames

Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain — Myterious and captivating Baining Fire Dance

Papua New Guinea Baining Fire Dances in East New Britain — Myterious and captivating Baining Fire Dance

TRIBES OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Chimbu Tribes

Chimbu Tribes

Eastern Highlands Tribes

Eastern Highlands Tribes

Enga Tribes

Enga Tribes

Foi Tribe

Foi Tribe

Hewa Tribe

Hewa Tribe

Huli Tribe

Huli Tribe

Kalam Tribes

Kalam Tribes

Kaluli Tribe

Kaluli Tribe

Maprik Tribes

Maprik Tribes

Sepik Tribes

Sepik Tribes

Tambul Tribes

Tambul Tribes

Western Highlands and Jiwaka Tribes

Western Highlands and Jiwaka Tribes

FESTIVALS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Gulf Mask Festival

Gulf Mask Festival

Bougainville Reeds Festival

Bougainville Reeds Festival

Baining Fire Dance

Baining Fire Dance

National Mask Festival

National Mask Festival

Enga Cultural Show

Enga Cultural Show

Sepik River Crocodile Festival

Sepik River Crocodile Festival

Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture

Melanesian Festival of Arts and Culture