Fire dancing performed by Papua New Guinea tribe

Spectacular footage has emerged showing the ancient tradition of fire dancing performed by one of world’s only surviving tribes.

In the video, men of the Baining People can be seen expressively dancing in traditional masks as flames roar and sparks fly in the background.

The moment was recorded by filmmaker Richard Sidey on a trip to Papua New Guinea with photographer Roy Mangersnes.

The Baining People among the earliest and original inhabitants of the Gazelle Peninsula of East New Britain, Papua New Guinea

Only men from the tribe Baining People, of Papua New Guinea, are allowed to take part in the fire dance

Only men from the tribe Baining People, of Papua New Guinea, are allowed to take part in the fire dance

Mr Mangersnes said: ‘Among many great sightings one of the highlights was the incredible Baining Firedance. 

‘This is an authentic cultural experience from Papua New Guinea that is the most intense experiences I have had in a long time’. 

He said: ‘In short, the men dance with these elaborate masks in a trance like state, while others are drumming and chanting.

‘They swirl around and once in a while run into the fire and kick it.

He added: ‘By doing so they can enter the spirit world and bring all the problems of the tribe into the other side for advice.

In a stunning set of images, the men can be seen expressively dancing in traditional masks as flames roar in the background

In a stunning set of images, the men can be seen expressively dancing in traditional masks as flames roar in the background

Spectacular photographs show the ancient tradition of fire dancing performed by one of Papua New Guinea's only surviving tribes

Spectacular photographs show the ancient tradition of fire dancing performed by one of Papua New Guinea’s only surviving tribes

He said: ‘The mask represents different animals or parts of animals they have around them, from mosquitoes to flying foxes.

‘The massive masks are burnt after the ceremony.’

The Baining People make their elaborate masks from bark cloth, bamboo and leaves. They perform the dance to welcome births, celebrate the start of the harvest, to remember the dead and to initiate young men into adulthood.

Only men take part in the event, women and children don’t take part or watch the spectacle.  

They are among the earliest and original inhabitants of the Gazelle Peninsula of East New Britain, Papua New Guinea.

They currently live in the mountains after being driven there by a rival tribe in recent decades. 

In 2015, a traveller called Carolyn described her trip on her website.

She wrote: ‘The dancing process went on all night while men kept the fire blazing brightly and the masked dancers kept kicking the coals. 

‘Near dawn, they suddenly disappeared into the dark and the masked spirits had been frightened away from the village. 

‘And Baining women did not go near the site. And the visitors stood and watched in amazement.’

 

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