15/08/2025
Papua New Guinea delegate in traditional tribal attire in UN, New York, 2017.
In 2017, a delegate from Papua New Guinea attended a United Nations meeting in New York City wearing traditional tribal attire, drawing international attention for his striking appearance. His outfit included a feathered headdress, armbands, a necklace made of natural materials, and a koteka, a traditional p***s sheath worn by some tribes in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.
The choice to appear in this attire was not for spectacle, but to represent and honor his cultural heritage on the global stage. Papua New Guinea is home to hundreds of distinct tribes, each with its own languages, customs, and dress. Traditional clothing plays an important role in ceremonies, identity, and the preservation of indigenous practices.
At the United Nations, representatives from member states and territories often use dress, language, and symbolism to emphasize the diversity of cultures and viewpoints present in the assembly. By wearing his traditional attire, the delegate sent a visual reminder that indigenous voices remain vital in international diplomacy and policy discussions.
His presence also highlighted the importance of protecting indigenous rights, lands, and cultural traditions in the face of modernization and globalization. It was a moment that connected the world’s most formal diplomatic setting with one of the planet’s oldest living cultural traditions.