Kerema
Is the capital of Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. It is located on the coast of Gulf of Papua. The Gulf region is aptly named for it's concave coastline with large deltas. The Gulf area is a riparian region were many rivers from the southern slopes of the highlands drain into.
Culture and Tradition
The popular language spoken in Gulf Province is TOARIPI. The village towards the east of Kerema from HAMUHAMU and inland to MOVEAVE all speak Toaripi. The Gulf's traditional culture knowledge was one of the first to be exposed to the outside world. Thus it was one of the first dying cultures as outsiders mainly CHRISTIAN missionaries have indoctrinated 80% of the coastal people to abandon most of their culture.
History
James Chalmers or 'Tamate' as locals of Toaripi called him, was the first white man to land in the province. He first landed in lokea in 1885.
Industry
The Gulf area is blessed with many natural resources such as abundant marine life, rich jungle, sago, betlenut (buai) and many others. Currently oil explorations are showing positive results and it will be major income earner to the province. Fshing, logging, oil are the major industries although betlenut and sago are the major cash crop for the local people. Gulf people supply 80% of the betlenut and sago to Port Moresby markets for cash.
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