Hela Province, Administrative province in the highlands region, Papua New Guinea
Hela Province is an administrative region in Papua New Guinea's highlands, covering mountainous terrain with scattered communities across multiple districts. Rivers running through the landscape support both local agriculture and settlements, shaping how people live across the territory.
The province was established as an independent administrative region in May 2012 after separating from Southern Highlands Province. This creation reflected broader administrative reforms to better manage the central highland areas.
The Huli people practice traditional ceremonies featuring body decoration and performances with panpipes and bamboo instruments that remain central to community celebrations today. These customs shape how communities gather and mark important occasions throughout the year.
Visitors typically arrive by flying from Port Moresby to Tari airport or traveling via the Highland Highway from Mount Hagen. The mountainous terrain means unpredictable weather and limited infrastructure outside main settlements, so planning ahead is important.
The Tagari River flows through the region, serving as a waterway that connects different settlements and supports fishing and local transport. This river is essential to daily life for communities living along its banks.
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