By Carmela Calling
The National Cultural Commission (NCC) in Papua New Guinea has officially launched the Toare Cultural Centre, a facility designed to protect, preserve and promote the country’s Toare mask tradition.
Speaking at the event, NCC Manager Alex Pukie emphasised that the project was made possible through the support of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation.
“The primary purpose of the new building is to provide a dedicated space for the masks, keeping them separate from family homes where they had previously been stored without proper care,” Pukie said.
“This initiative aims to safeguard an integral part of the region’s cultural identity by ensuring that the Toare mask heritage is still recognised for future generations,” he added.
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A ‘special place’
According to the elders, Toare masks used to be kept in a “special place,” where a ritual was performed before wearing them.
However, over time, this authentic cultural practice has been lost.
“According to NCC’s record, it shows that we have never undertaken an effort like this in collaboration with an international group such as UNESCO.”
“This stands out from the others, especially because it marks the first-ever project of its kind in the Pacific” Pukie continued.
The Toare Cultural Centre project began in 2023, when the NCC research team conducted a study and identified a large collection of masks in Toare territory.
Toare masks in Papua New Guinea are important because it represents a cultural revival, connects communities with their ancestors and celebrates shared identity through traditional activities.
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