Buzz
Most villages on the Trobriand Islands have a special hut, used by couples for extramarital affairs without condemnation.
The Trobriand Islands, located in the Solomon Sea, part of Papua New Guinea, are a paradise for women, as noted by photographer Eric Lafforgue, who had the opportunity to explore. Women here have the authority to control everything, including their position in love.
Girls can 'ambush' the man they fancy, then ask them to 'enjoy' without societal condemnation. The riskiest time for men is during the yam season, where they are prone to being 'forced into love' by the girls. Locals believe that such sexual relations will bring a bountiful harvest. Due to this peculiar tradition, many travelers have dubbed the Trobriand Islands as the 'Love Island'.
Women on the island are allowed to have multiple lovers according to their preferences. When interested in someone, a woman will pursue them passionately, openly, and without hesitation. They will go to great lengths to win over the man they desire. Girls also have the right to reject men who try to court them if they are not interested.
They also have a liberal perspective on sexual life. Girls can comfortably approach men they like before marriage. 'They learn about contraception early on, and virginity holds no value here,' says Eric Lafforgue.
If an unmarried girl happens to get pregnant, her family will keep the baby. According to the island's tradition, a man only needs to assist a woman he 'accidentally' impregnates, and he is not responsible for the child. The locals believe having a baby is a miracle, so they don't have the concept of 'blaming' men.
Additionally, they express affection and the desire to marry by sleeping together, spending time with each other, and staying at each other's homes for a few weeks. The girl's parents accept that the guy will be their daughter's husband when she receives the gift from the 'someone.'
There are no traditional wedding ceremonies on the island. A young woman wanting to marry will stay at her lover's house instead of leaving before sunrise. Then, both will sit together and wait for the bride's mother to bring them a cooked yam dish. When a man and a woman eat together, their marriage is officially recognized.
If a couple living together is not compatible, the woman can divorce her husband. The husband, wanting to reconcile, can bring yams to his ex-wife's house along with other gifts. However, if the woman is not satisfied, she will refuse to return.
Locals can change their partners at will whenever they wish. They also have 'love huts' – places reserved for relationships with someone other than their spouse.
Despite their open sexual lifestyle, the native people take great pride in their ethnicity. They are not 'open-minded' towards outsiders, especially those with 'pale' skin and unattractive hair, as they describe them.
In Trobriand Island, yams hold significant value for the locals. They even use this food as a form of currency, exchanging goods daily, considering having plenty of yams at home a symbol of wealth. Western tourists visiting the island can also use money to trade items with the locals.
Trobriand is only about a 2-hour drive from Port Moresby, the capital of Papua New Guinea, yet it seems to be overlooked by the government. The island has only one doctor, and medical supplies are scarce.
The archipelago covers an area of 450 km², situated off the eastern coast of New Guinea. The population across the islands is approximately 12,000, with the majority residing on the main island of Kiriwina. Other large islands include Kaileuna, Vakuta, and Kitava.
Source: Vnexpress.net
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Reference: Travel guide Mytour
MytourOctober 6, 2015
