Wokisok Festival of the Sea (Shark Callers) – Kono Village, Namatanai, New Ireland Province | 27th – 29th May 2025
Dive deep into the ancient maritime mysteries of Papua New Guinea at the Wokisok Festival of the Sea, held from 27th to 29th May 2025 in Kono Village, Namatanai, in the heart of New Ireland Province. This unique cultural celebration is dedicated to one of the Pacific’s most awe-inspiring traditions – shark calling, an ancestral practice that blends chants, oceanic rituals, and spiritual reverence.
Witness the famed shark callers of New Ireland, whose bond with the sea has been passed down through generations. Using hand-carved wooden canoes, sacred vine ropes, and shell rattles, the shark callers lure these majestic creatures from the deep – a breathtaking spectacle that embodies harmony between humanity and nature. Alongside the shark-calling ceremony, enjoy vibrant Melanesian singsings, traditional canoe displays, storytelling, and seafood feasts that reflect the deep marine heritage of the coastal Lavongai and Tabar island cultures.
The Wokisok Festival is more than a cultural showcase – it’s a living expression of indigenous maritime knowledge, environmental respect, and ancestral wisdom. Whether you’re a cultural explorer, eco-tourist, or documentary photographer, this festival offers an unforgettable journey into one of Papua New Guinea’s most spiritual coastal traditions.
Plan your visit to Kono Village and be part of this extraordinary event that honors the guardians of the sea. The Wokisok Festival of the Sea is a must-see experience that brings global attention to New Ireland’s ancient relationship with the ocean.
Tags: Papua New Guinea festivals, Wokisok Festival, shark callers PNG, New Ireland Province events, Kono Village traditions, PNG cultural tourism, shark calling ritual, Pacific island festivals, marine heritage PNG, tribal ceremonies Papua New Guinea.