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Betelnut Merchant
Kainantu, PNG
The open air market of Kainantu is something to experience. My traveling companions and I were the only white faces amidst a sea of burly locals. I imagined having my camera stolen my first day in PNG but couldn't keep it hidden for long. We were practically mobbed by people who wanted to see the digital image of themselves, but I managed to get this natural shot of a man selling betelnut. Chewed by the men, women, and children of PNG, the red stained teeth and rotting gums are a sure giveaway of too much betelnut!
Order PrintsPapua New Guinea
PNG is a snapshot in time, with the tribes of the Highlands seeing outsiders for the first time in 1930. Headhunting and cannibalism are traditional practices that were only recently subdued through heavy missionary influence. The rugged terrain maintained tribal isolation resulting in 800 unique languages and cultures. The few travelers who visit this amazing country are rewarded with an adventure of a lifetime.