Sharing the visible and invisible domains of lived experiences with the Ambonwari of Papua New Guinea

[Extract] The Ambonwari village is situated in a swampy area of East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea (PNG). It is the largest among eight Karawari- speaking settlements in the region. The village is an island surrounded by many creeks flowing through the dense sago forest. For these riverine people the most used 'tool' is a canoe. The staple is sago prepared as either pudding or baked pancake and topped up with fish, sago grubs and greens gathered in the forest. In 2011 there were 784 Ambonwari villagers, although not all of them lived in the village. Women (153) outnumber men (122). The majority of the village population are children and minors up to 18 years of age (406); 103 Ambonwari were absent, living elsewhere. The 90 houses composing the village are lined up along two creeks. Each house has its own shore where the household members moor their canoes, wash dishes and clothes and bathe. Drinking water is fetched from a small creek near the village. The Ambonwari ancestors planted the coconut palms and rubber trees in and around the village. These trees and palms also mark the borders between the lands of different individuals, lineages and clans