LESSON NOTES

School: Donna High School

Unit 9.4: The PNG Ways
Subject: Personal Development
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Topic: Papua New Guinea Traditions
Learning Outcomes: At the end of the lesson students can be able to:

 Describe four different types of Papua New Guinea traditions

 Point out the activities that reflect the four different types of traditions practiced within
PNG

What is tradition?

 Oxford dictionary and thesaurus (2003) defines traditions as a belief or custom handed down
from one generation to another.
 A long established procedure

Different types of traditions practiced in PNG?

 Social contracts
 Ceremonies
 Beliefs
 Big men

Social contract
Social contract is an agreement that is understood by the community that everyone has an obligation to
others’ wellbeing in the society, for example, when there is a feast everyone contributes to the
preparation of the feast.
Ceremonies
A grand occasion on which special acts are performed, observance, ritual. For example, bride price
Belief
What is belief?
Belief is a form of faith that a particular society/community practice. For example, before a gardener
plants he/she would undergo some rituals before the planting takes place.
Big men
Big men concept is a Papua New Guinea concept that is prevalent in the traditional society and is still
active today. For example, wealth and leadership was common in the past and is still active today.
Activity
 1. List some activities that reflect different types of Papua New Guinea traditions (social contract,
ceremonies, and beliefs
Homework
1. What are some activities of big men system that was practiced in the past and is still prevalent
today? (Identify activities that made up big men in the past and today).
Thank You
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Compiled by Ms. Sucy Gipints