Port Moresby| 4 June 2026: Among the most internationally recognised Indigenous voices from Papua New Guinea is Mundiya Kepanga, a customary chief of the Huli people from the Highlands region whose work has linked traditional knowledge, environmental protection, cultural preservation and international dialogue.
Born in the Tari region of present-day Hela Province, Kepanga belongs to the Huli people, one of Papua New Guinea's largest Indigenous groups. The Huli are renowned across the Highlands for their ceremonial wigs, bird-of-paradise adornments, oral traditions and deep connection to the forests and mountains of their ancestral lands.
For more than two decades, Kepanga has travelled extensively across Europe, North America and other regions, speaking in museums, universities, schools and international forums. His presentations draw upon Huli traditions and experiences growing up in Papua New Guinea's rainforest environment. Through these engagements he has become one of the country's most visible cultural ambassadors.
His international profile emerged through a long collaboration with French photographer and filmmaker Marc Dozier. Their work introduced audiences overseas to Huli culture and life in Papua New Guinea. One of the best-known productions, The Reversed Exploration, turned the traditional explorer narrative on its head by following Papuan visitors as they observed and interpreted life in Europe. The documentary was broadcast internationally, including on National Geographic and Canal+.
Over time, Kepanga became increasingly associated with environmental advocacy. His message centres on the relationship between people and forests, drawing from Huli teachings which view the natural environment as inseparable from community life, identity and survival. In speeches delivered around the world, he has described forests as living systems carrying the memory, history and future of Indigenous communities.
His environmental work gained international attention through the award-winning documentary Frères des Arbres (Brothers of the Trees) and its successor Guardians of the Forest: Time for Solutions. The films follow his efforts to raise awareness about the destruction of tropical forests in Papua New Guinea and the significance of Indigenous stewardship. The productions received numerous international awards and brought his message to audiences across Europe and beyond.
Kepanga has also participated in major international gatherings dealing with environmental and Indigenous issues. He contributed to events linked to the Paris climate conference (COP21), appeared at UNESCO forums, and has spoken alongside scientists, educators and Indigenous leaders from other parts of the world. His presentations combine storytelling, humour and traditional knowledge rather than technical policy language, making them accessible to a wide range of audiences.
An equally important part of his work involves cultural preservation. Kepanga has donated complete sets of traditional Huli ceremonial regalia to several museums in Europe, including institutions in France and Switzerland. These collections provide international audiences with an opportunity to learn about Papua New Guinea's cultural heritage through authentic artefacts created by Huli communities.
His influence extends into literature and education. He has authored and co-authored books, contributed to academic publications and inspired children's literature introducing younger generations to Indigenous perspectives from Papua New Guinea. His life story has become the subject of documentaries, educational programmes and public exhibitions.
In 2026, Kepanga's profile received renewed attention in France through activities connected to the exhibition Plumes du Paradis ("Feathers of Paradise") at the Musée du Quai Branly, Jacques Chirac in Paris. The exhibition explores the history, symbolism and global journey of birds-of-paradise, creatures deeply woven into the cultures of New Guinea. Related events included screenings of Guardians of the Forest: Time for Solutions, with Kepanga participating in public discussions.
Today, Mundiya Kepanga occupies a unique place among contemporary Indigenous leaders. He remains rooted in Huli traditions while engaging audiences across continents. His work has helped introduce millions of people to Papua New Guinea's forests, cultures and Indigenous knowledge systems, making him one of the country's most recognised cultural figures on the international stage.
Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco| Mundiya Kepanga| Marc Dozier See less
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