Understanding the Importance of Funeral Ceremonies in Papua New Guinea
Funeral ceremonies are a crucial aspect of Papua New Guinean (PNG) society. Funeral PNG practices offer a reflection of the indigenous cultures and traditions that remain prevalent in PNG. Funerals in PNG are complex and colorful events that can last anywhere from seven to thirty days depending on the tribe, region, and circumstance.
PNG has a diverse population, with more than 800 different tribes and 850 languages spoken. Each tribe has unique funeral practices that reflect their cultural beliefs and traditions. Nevertheless, there are some commonalities or themes that connect funeral traditions throughout PNG.
One of the most striking features of PNG funerals is the use of dramatic displays of mourning. Wailing and emotional outbursts are common during funeral ceremonies, as Papua New Guineans believe it is essential to express their grief and pain openly. During these ceremonies, close relatives and friends of the deceased will gather to mourn aggressively. It is also customary for family members to wear black clothing and avoid smiling or laughing for the duration of the funeral.
Another essential aspect to PNG funerals is the exchange of gifts and food. It is a tradition in PNG for mourners to bring food and/or small gifts, such as garden produce, livestock, and money, as a sign of respect for the deceased. These offerings can also be seen as contributing to the funeral feast, which is a vital part of the funeral ceremony in PNG. The funeral feast provides an opportunity for mourners to come together, share food, stories, and to honor the life of the deceased, which is believed to help ease the pain of their passing.
The funeral ceremonies in PNG are rich in symbolism. For example, in some parts of PNG, it is customary to decorate the burial site with white and blue circular flowers. The flowers represent the separation between the living and the dead - with the center of the circle containing the deceased. In other parts of PNG, mourners will light fires around the burial site, symbolizing the spiritual transition of the deceased from this world into the afterlife.
As a predominantly Christian country, funeral practices in PNG often reflect Christian beliefs. However, many traditional practices remain prevalent, and it is not uncommon for a combination of Christian and traditional rituals to be employed during funeral ceremonies.
In conclusion, funerals in PNG represent an important cultural tradition that reflects the population's diversity. PNG funerals are characterized by their complexity, intensity of emotions, generous offerings of food and gifts, and symbolic rituals. These funerals can be seen as an essential aspect of the social, cultural, and religious fabric of PNG society.

In this sub category you can download free PNG images: Funeral Miscellaneous. In this category "Funeral" we have 11 free PNG images with transparent background.

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  Funeral Transparent Background
  Format: PNG
  Resolution: 437x336
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  Funeral Image
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  Resolution: 400x317
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  Funeral
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  Resolution: 459x512
  Size: 19.8KB
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  Funeral Transparent
  Format: PNG
  Resolution: 583x694
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  Funeral Picture
  Format: PNG
  Resolution: 521x640
  Size: 66.8KB
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  Funeral File
  Format: PNG
  Resolution: 1979x1915
  Size: 122.6KB
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  Funeral Clipart
  Format: PNG
  Resolution: 550x366
  Size: 158.8KB
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  Funeral Hd
  Format: PNG
  Resolution: 413x272
  Size: 168.0KB
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  Funeral Transparent Image
  Format: PNG
  Resolution: 485x255
  Size: 212.1KB
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  Funeral Photos
  Format: PNG
  Resolution: 900x976
  Size: 410.8KB
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  Funeral Free Download
  Format: PNG
  Resolution: 700x570
  Size: 616.9KB
  Downloads: 511