Malagan

Malagan (also spelled malangan or malanggan) ceremonies are large, intricate traditional cultural events that take place in parts of New Ireland province in Papua New Guinea.

The word malagan refers to wooden carvings prepared for ceremonies and to an entire system of traditional culture.

[citation needed] While a malagan ceremony is always held in the name of one or more people who have died in recent years, it is not at all merely a mortuary rite.

Many other interactions take place within the overall event, including announcements, repayment of debts, recognition of obligations, resolution of disputes, and many other customary activities.

There are many other ceremonies and customary practices within this large and complex cultural system.