Lucky Charms of Papua New Guinea

Papua New Guinea has the world's most linguistically and culturally diverse small territory — over 800 languages and thousands of distinct cultural traditions. Protective amulets vary dramatically from one valley to the next. The bilum (string bag) woven by Highland women is not merely functional but encodes protective patterns in its weave. Specific shell valuables — kina (pearlshell), toea (conus shell) — are the primary prestige and protective objects across much of the country.

Ancestral spirits (masalai) must be properly propitiated to avoid misfortune, and specific objects, plants, and ritual actions serve this purpose. The spectacular sing-sing ceremonial gatherings involve costumes incorporating protective bird feathers, shells, and pig tusks. Christianity is now widespread and crosses and rosary beads are standard protective objects. The bird of paradise — the national symbol — carries associations of supernatural beauty and divine favor.