[1] Under Australian rule, Papua New Guinea banned inter-tribal conflict, in an attempt to ease tensions in an area with thousands of unique tribes and cultures.
[3] Yams are considered an important part of Kiriwina culture, and the crops destroyed would cause food supply issues.
[3] Provincial police chief Peter Barkie claimed that the fighting got so out of hand that local elders couldn't contain it, and that a peace ritual held also did not help matters.
[5] PNG Internal Security Minister Peter Tsiamalili claimed that over thirty people were killed in the violence.
[4] Local MP Douglas Tomuriesa, who represents the Trobriand Islands, declined to comment to several news agencies.