In a landmark year celebrating 50 years of independence, Papua New Guinea’s most iconic cultural festivals — Hiri Moale and Bundi Komba — are embracing the digital age, blending centuries-old traditions with cutting-edge technology to reach wider audiences than ever before.
From drone-filmed canoe arrivals to remote village livestreams, this year’s celebrations are not only a revival of cultural pride but also a leap forward in how PNG tells its story to the world.
Hiri Moale: Canoes, Culture, and Cloud Streaming
The Hiri Moale Festival, commemorating the ancient trading voyages of the Motu-Koita people, will return to Ela Beach in full colour and ceremony. But for the first time, the event will be:
- Live broadcast on national TV and social media platforms
- Enhanced by drone footage and 360-degree video
- Supported by interactive mobile guides, allowing remote viewers to follow each leg of the symbolic lagatoi journey
“We want every child in PNG, even in the Highlands, to experience Hiri this year,” said one National Cultural Commission representative. “Technology makes it possible.”
Bundi Komba: Remote Culture, Real-Time Access
In the Bundi region of Madang, the Komba Festival — a celebration of ancestral song, dance, and initiation rituals — will feature mobile broadcasting units powered by solar internet kits. This initiative, led by PNG Tourism Promotion Authority, aims to preserve and promote isolated traditions while empowering local youth to become cultural storytellers.
“It’s not just outsiders documenting us—we’re learning to film, edit, and post ourselves,” said Janet Ule, a young volunteer from Bundi. “It’s our culture, our voice.”
Digital Storytelling for a New Generation
2025 marks a turning point in how culture is experienced and archived in PNG:
- Local TikTok creators and YouTubers will be accredited to cover events in real-time
- The National Museum and Art Gallery will release a virtual exhibition pairing traditional artifacts with festival highlights
- Youth-led collectives are experimenting with AR filters, cultural podcasts, and digital bilum art
The result? A wave of festival fusion where tradition isn’t compromised — it’s reimagined.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the innovations are exciting, organizers face real hurdles:
- Connectivity gaps in rural areas
- Limited tech literacy among elders
- Ensuring respectful digital documentation of sacred customs
Still, the consensus is clear: digital tools are not replacing culture—they’re preserving and amplifying it.
Looking Ahead
As PNG celebrates its golden jubilee, the fusion of tradition and innovation reflects a deeper truth: this is a nation rooted in heritage but ready for the future.
Whether you’re watching dancers in person or following from a phone in Wabag or Brisbane, 2025’s cultural festivals promise to unite Papua New Guineans across distance, generation, and medium.
