Betel nut juice stains and rots the teeth of many villagers. They chew it for a high and to ‘feel good’.

Rambuso Village

Tagula Island

South east of the Louisiade archipelago. 360km south east of New Guinea.

Excited children saw tourists for the first time but like the other villages you see the effects of malnourishment.

Drought is an issue so when they run out of protein, can't catch any fish and the crops are not growing then there is sago. The sago palms are chopped down, the insides are mashed into powder and funneled with water into a trough where it drains through and leaves a moist pulp. This can be fried into pancakes for a hit of pure carbohydrate.

A traditional boat sails out of the harbour.

Taking a break from making sago.

SELECT A LOCATION