{"id":3304,"date":"2025-12-22T20:01:09","date_gmt":"2025-12-22T20:01:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/voyagesenpapouasie.com\/sejours\/sacred-rituals-and-nature-in-papua-with-marc-dozier-and-mundiya-kepanga\/"},"modified":"2026-02-14T22:54:34","modified_gmt":"2026-02-14T22:54:34","slug":"sacred-rituals-and-nature-in-papua-with-marc-dozier-and-mundiya-kepanga","status":"publish","type":"sejours","link":"https:\/\/voyagesenpapouasie.com\/en\/travels\/sacred-rituals-and-nature-in-papua-with-marc-dozier-and-mundiya-kepanga\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacred rituals and nature in Papua, with Marc Dozier and Mundiya Kepanga"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In the heart of the Middle Sepik, you’ll witness one of Papua New Guinea’s most impressive rituals: the initiation ceremony of the Iatmul crocodile-men<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n

In the cool half-light of the spirit house, illuminated by a few rays of light and the smoke of the fires, the elders prepare the young initiates. Their low chants, the blowing of flutes and the muffled beat of wooden drums accompany each stage of the ritual. <\/p>\n\n

Early in the morning, the “Great Crocodile Spirit eats the initiates”: the scars will reproduce the scales of the mythical crocodile, master of the Sepik River. The pain is faced in silence, under the watchful gaze of elders, men and invoked spirits. River clay, ashes and oils are then applied to the wounds to shape the future scarifications, which will be worn as a sacred adornment for the rest of their lives. <\/p>\n\n

As a visitor, you witness this rare and powerful ceremony from the edge of the spirit house, to the rhythm of songs, dances and mythical tales. It’s a moment of passage and community pride, offering you a unique immersion in the spiritual world of the Sepik River. You’ll benefit from Marc Dozier’s knowledge of Papua and his advice as a professional photographer and film-maker. <\/p>\n\n

You’ll then continue your journey into the Highlands, to the village of Mundiya Kepanga, famous Papuan chief and ardent defender of his country’s forests.<\/strong> In the heart of a landscape of misty mountains, gardens and ancient forests, you’ll discover the daily life of its community and the contemporary issues involved in protecting this unique natural heritage.<\/p>\n\n

This trip will also be a privileged immersion in Huli culture: multicolored feather ornaments, faces painted in yellow and red ochre, spectacular headdresses, mythological tales and warrior traditions. Through encounters, dances and time spent sharing with the locals, you’ll get close to the soul of the Papuan Highlands, between sacred nature and living cultural heritage. <\/p>\n\n