Melanesians Collection

New Guinea. Asaro River. The dance of the tree-men Papua New Guinea Asaro River. Date of Photograph:1970

New Guinea. Homage to the dead King Papua New Guinea Roca Valley. Date of Photograph:1970

New Guinea. Roca Valley. Venerated dead king Papua New Guinea New Britannia. Date of Photograph:1970

New Britannia. Remains of a cannibal banquet Papua New Guinea New Britannia. Date of Photograph:1970

New Guinea. Roca Valley, war "Sing Sing" Papua New Guinea Roca Valley. Date of Photograph:1970

Melanesia. A descendant of the last cannibals (New Britannia) Papua New Guinea New Britannia. Date of Photograph:1971

Melanesia. A medicine-man among his "clients" in a Roca Valley village Papua New Guinea Roca Valley. Date of Photograph:1971

A Yam shed and natives, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 1908 (colour litho)
DGC418627 A Yam shed and natives, Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, 1908 (colour litho) by Hardy, Norman (1864-1914); Private Collection; (add.info.: illustration from Peeps at Many Islands)

Otaheiteans or natives of Tahiti, Polynesia, 1818. Tahitian man and woman in cloak and skirt in front of a palm tree. Handcoloured copperplate engraving from Mary Anne Vennings A Geographical Present

Man and woman of the Isle of Tanna, Vanuatu, 1818
6338298 Man and woman of the Isle of Tanna, Vanuatu, 1818 by English School, (18th century); (add.info.: Man and woman of the Isle of Tanna, Vanuatu, 1818)

For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

Discover the rich cultural tapestry of Melanesia, a region spanning New Guinea, the New Hebrides, and the Solomon Islands. Witness the Asaro River's tree-men dance, a spiritual ritual paying homage to their ancestors. In Roca Valley, honor is shown to the venerated dead king, while remnants of cannibal banquets serve as a haunting reminder of the past. In the midst of war, the "Sing Sing" dance in Roca Valley unites the community. A Melanesian medicine-man connects with his clients in a village, while a yam shed in Espiritu Santo showcases the importance of agriculture. Contrastingly, the Otaheiteans of Tahiti and the Man and Woman of Tanna, Vanuatu, display the diverse beauty and traditions of Polynesia, a neighboring yet distinct region.