Duk-Duk

Duk-Duk is a secret society, part of the traditional culture of the Tolai people of the Rabaul area of New Britain, the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea, in the South Pacific.

[2] Only males could belong to Duk-Duk, with an entrance fee (in dewarra, small cowry shells strung on strips of cane, often 100 metres or more).

The society has its secret signs and rituals, and festivals which were in past times closed to strangers on pain of death.

[1] Justice was executed, fines extorted, taboos, feasts, taxes and all tribal matters arranged by the Duk-Duk members, wearing masks or chalk on their faces.

[4] The society's practice has been dying out since around the start of the 20th century, but Duk-Duk dancers are now featured as tourist attraction.