Receive a private welcome into a traditional Mbaham-Matta longhouse — the ancestral heart of Kokas village life — for an intimate afternoon of ceremonial dance, sago preparation, and a communal feast hosted by the village elder and his family.
What to expect
A local cultural guide escorts your private group through the village to the communal longhouse, where the elder greets you with a betel nut ceremony and explains the significance of the hand-carved totems that line the entrance. Women demonstrate the laborious art of sago palm processing — the staple of Papuan life — while men perform the haunting rhythms of the tifa drum and traditional war dance in full regalia. The feast that follows features grilled barramundi, papeda sago porridge, and tropical fruit, eaten together at long wooden tables. You leave with a hand-woven pandanus keepsake gifted by the women of the village.
Good to know
The longhouse is a 10-minute walk from the Kokas pier — no vehicles required. Dress modestly (shoulders and knees covered) as a mark of respect. Photography is welcomed but always ask before photographing individuals. The experience is designed to close by mid-afternoon, leaving ample time before all-aboard.