Village life has not changed much over the last thirty three years for the average PNG coffee grower. Most farmers still live in thatched 'kuni" houses built from forest materials.   The village consists of many clans and sub clans within which the family nucleus can be found. Family is the cornerstone of village culture and all social interactions are based on the villagers standing within the family as well as the clan's place within the village.    Children enjoy the benefits of such complex, interwoven family relations and are cared for by their extended family much the same way as their immediate relations.

Village life is very complex and tradition dictates allegiances to ones own clan whether you agree or not. This can be best observed in how clan members are expected to cast their vote at election time for the candidate who has a closer tie to their family.   The family unit is there for each other in all situations.   On the other hand they will   take what is their brother's without hesitation as property is considered communal.

Coffee season brings with it all the social obligations in the farmer's year. Debts are repaid, Brides are bought and sold, initiations are preformed, school fees are paid and small luxuries such as cooking utensils, a new spade, second hand cloths, and the odd grocery item can be purchased. The coffee garden is the farmer's principal form of generating income for the family and clan requirements.

Farmers harvest seedlings sprouting around the base of their coffee trees and replant them for their child's future use. As coffee trees can last a life time, if pruned and maintained, it is similar to buying shares in their child's future.

Did you know......... you pay more for a single shot of espresso (8 grams) than the grower receives for 1 kilogram of beans that takes 1 full week to prepare for sale?

Sip your coffee slowly and give thanks for the hands that prepared it.