PNG Traditional Cuisine - "Gkato"

How to prepare Gkato

Brief Information
Gkato is a traditional cuisine for the Rigo people of Central Province. The Rigo people have been preparing the “Gkato” cuisine generation-after-generation. It is one of the main and common meal for the Rigo people.

Below is the recipe on how to prepare “gkato". The following recipe can cater for 7-10 people.

Ingredients/utensils

1. Green cooking bananas (2kg)
2. Pumpkin leaves
3. Chicken cocktails (700g)
4. Coconut cream
5. Rice-bag strings of 45cm each
6. Pot

Cooking steps for preparing Rigo ”Gkato"

1. Grate the banana and put into a bowl or pot
2. Clean the pumpkin leaves and chicken cocktail
3. Using 1-2 pumpkin leaves, put the grated banana and cocktail (now called "gkato")
4. Wrap the gkato with string, and put into a pot
5. Cream the gkatos in the pot with coconut cream
6. Put the pot over the fire or stove for 30-45 minutes
7. Once cooked, it's ready for eating

Some photos on how to prepare Rigo "gkato"

PNG Traditional Cuisine - "Aigir"

How to prepare Aigir

Brief Information
Aigir is a traditional cuisine for the Tolai people of East New Britain Province. The Tolai people have been preparing the “Aigir” cuisine generation-after-generation. Aigir is prepared on special occasions or during family gatherings.

Below is the recipe on how to prepare “aigir". The following recipe can cater for 10-15 people.

Ingredients/utensils

1. Coconuts X 6
2. Greens (5kg aibika)
3. Mumu-pit with hot stones
4. Protein (180g chicken)
5. Vegetable (2kg kaukau)
6. Banana leaves X 10
7. Carrots (500g)
8. Onion (100g)
9. Tomato (50g)

Cooking steps for preparing Tolai ”Aigir”

1. Put stones in the mumu-pit for 40-45 minutes
2. Scrape 6 coconuts
3. Prepare the vegetable
4. Prepare the greens
5. Prepare the protein
6. Put vegetable, greens and protein into a big pot or dish
7. Gradually cream vegetable, greens and protein with coconut-cream
8. Put hot stones into the pot contain the vegetable, greens and protein
9. Close the pot and leave it to cook for 15-20 minutes
10. When cooked, remove the stones
11. Serve the food into plates or on banana leaves

New Ireland: Building a Traditional House

The New Irelander are unique for their daily activities. Most of the daily activities reflect their traditional way of living in their societies. With the chief "Maimai" inspiring the younger generations on how to live in their communities.

Here are some shots of the basic traditional sago "saksak" house built by villagers.