Rabaraba

Coordinates: 9°58′4″S 149°50′9″E / 9.96778°S 149.83583°E / -9.96778; 149.83583
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Rabaraba
Rabaraba is located in Papua New Guinea
Rabaraba
Rabaraba
Location within Papua New Guinea
Coordinates: 9°58′4″S 149°50′9″E / 9.96778°S 149.83583°E / -9.96778; 149.83583
CountryPapua New Guinea
ProvinceMilne Bay Province
Languages
 • Main languagesDagan languages
Time zoneUTC+10 (AEST)

Rabaraba is a coastal village in Milne Bay Province on the southeastern coast of Papua New Guinea. It overlooks Goodenough Bay, and the Uga River flows into the bay to the south of the village.[1]

History[edit]

In Papua mythology, Rabaraba was a feather with magical powers.[2] The name means "far, far away".[3]

Rabaraba and the surrounding area was affected by Cyclone Guba in November 2007, which caused flooding, destroying about 30 houses and forcing over 100 people to evacuate their homes.[4]

Demographics[edit]

Eight Dagan languages, classified as non-Austronesian, are spoken in the mountains of the region. The largest is the Gwedena language, which was spoken by about 2100 people in 1990.[5]

Economy[edit]

Agriculture is predominant in the area, with Rabaraba being well irrigated. large alluvial fans along streams divert the water into ditches.[6] The locals around Milne Bay are adept at woodcarving, with abstract designs of birds particularly common.[5]

Milne Bay Highway, connecting Rabaraba with Alotau, Dogura, and Agaun commenced construction in April 1973. By the end of 1973, 11 kilometres (6.8 mi) of the road had been built in the northwest around Giligili.[7]

Landmarks[edit]

A rural health centre was in place in Rabaraba by the mid 1960s.[8] The village is served by Rabaraba Airport, which offers flights to Gurney.[9]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Google (8 February 2017). "Rabaraba" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  2. ^ Lawrie, Margaret Elizabeth (1971). Myths and legends of Torres Strait. Taplinger Pub. Co. p. 340. ISBN 978-0-8008-5464-5.
  3. ^ Hynek, Allen (1 September 1996). What You Should Know About Ufo's. Health Research Books. p. 10. ISBN 978-0-7873-1073-8.
  4. ^ Australian Associated Press (2007). "Guba kills three in Papua New Guinea". Retrieved 8 February 2017.
  5. ^ a b Rannells, Jackson (1990). PNG: a fact book on modern Papua New Guinea. Oxford University Press. p. 93.
  6. ^ Bourke, R. Michael; Harwood, Tracy (2009). Food and Agriculture in Papua New Guinea. ANU E Press. p. 109. ISBN 978-1-921536-61-8.
  7. ^ Inder, Stuart (1980). Papua New Guinea Handbook. Pacific Publications. p. 207.
  8. ^ House of Assembly Debates. Papua New Guinea House of Assembly. September 1964. p. 324.
  9. ^ Tony Wheeler; Jon Murray (1 July 1993). Papua New Guinea: a travel survival kit. Lonely Planet Publications. ISBN 978-0-86442-190-6.