Jiwaka Province
The Khonghar Sinsing of Jiwaka
The Khonghar refers to the big singsing and pig killing ceremony held within the Jiwaka. A notable activity which coincides with the Pig Killing ceremony is the famous Jiwaka Head Dress. The Peng Kulung Kokun is a special head dress, usually called the "Wahgi Head Dress". This special headdress is worn during the Big Singsing and Pig Killing ceremony. The Head Dress is not worn by all members of the Clan. It is passed through the hereditary system, it is transfered from father to son. It cannot be given to a member of another family. The Gheru Ghar, Bolem Ghar and Peng Kulung Kokun will go on simultaneously with the Big Singsing. Preparations for these events will take years, and then the singsing will go on for several months. The Wahgi Men will adorn themselves with traditional regalia and beat the kundu drum and dance away. Finally to end the Big Singsing, the last week of the event will be killing of pigs. Each household will kill five or six or seven pigs, depending on how many they can afford.
Friends are invited from all the other Tribes around the Wahgi to come and take part in the Pig Killing Ceremony. Invited Guest will come from as far as the Jimi District. It will take about two weeks to prepare for the pig killing. Normally, invited guests will come with Vegetables, banana leaves, food stuff for the big event. One day will be dedicated to slaughtering of the pigs and the big mumu. The next day will be dedicated to sharing of cooked pig meat with invited guests. The following day, invited guests will go back to their villages with the food. The Pig Killing Ceremony was a very enjoyable event of its time.