Tari Basin

The Tari basin lies at around 1,600 metres in Hela Province, a densely settled valley of gardens divided by ditches and hedges, and it is the homeland of the Huli, one of the largest groups in the highlands. The tradition the Huli are known for is the wig: young men enter a period of seclusion in wig schools where they grow their hair under strict rules and it is cut and worked into ceremonial wigs, decorated with everlasting flowers, feathers and cuscus fur, worn with painted faces at ceremonies. Compounds, gardens and pig husbandry structure the landscape. The forest above the valley holds birds-of-paradise, and lodges in the area combine cultural visits with birding.

What you actually see

• Huli wigmen - the ceremonial wigs, face paint and dress.
• Wig schools - the seclusion houses where hair is grown and worked.
• The garden landscape - the ditched and hedged compounds of the basin.
• Birds-of-paradise - the species in the forest above the valley.

When to go

May to October in the drier season for the roads and the birding; the highlands are wet year round. Ceremonies are arranged through lodges and guides rather than encountered by chance.

Honest expectations

Wig displays for visitors are arranged performances rather than spontaneous ceremony, which the hosts are generally open about. Access is by air; road travel in the province is difficult and is best arranged locally. Lodges are few and expensive. Rain is likely on most days.

Nearby

Ambua falls lie above the basin; Lake Kutubu is southeast.