An Ancient Science, A Living Heritage

Enga’s traditional salt making is one of the most extraordinary cultural practices in Papua New Guinea -a remarkable blend of natural chemistry, skill, and ancestral wisdom. For centuries, Engan communities have mastered the art of extracting pure white salt from mineral-rich ponds using specialised trees, fire, and carefully preserved knowledge.

The Traditional Process

1. Selecting the Right Trees

Salt production begins with specific tree species — Milya, Suk, Tindikop, and Komoi — chosen for their ability to burn cleanly without charcoal residue.

2. Submerging the Logs

Partly decomposed logs are submerged in natural salt ponds for 5–8 months, slowly absorbing minerals and forming a crystallised crust.

3. Site Preparation

A simple shelter is built at the pond, and the ground is sealed with clay to create a smooth, clean work surface for processing.

4. Drying and Burning

Logs are dried for 12–24 hours and then arranged in a crisscross, pyramid-like stack.
They are burned from beneath for 4–6 hours until the wood transforms into fine milky-white ash — Enga’s traditional salt.

5. Packing the Salt

Leaves from soft herbs such as saga or sundu are prepared for wrapping.
A wooden scoop collects the fine ash, which is shaped into round parcels ready for cooking, trade, or ceremonial use.

Why Mulisos Salt Stands Out

A-Grade. Pure. Highly Valued.

Salt produced at Mulisos is considered the highest grade traditional salt in Enga. Its smooth texture, clean colour, and strong mineral purity set it apart from salt found in Pilikambi and other Engan ponds.

Mulisos salt has long been valued for:

Cooking and food preservation

• High-ranking trade exchanges
• Ceremonial gifting
• Marriage and peace agreements
• It remains one of the most respected traditional resources in the region.

Kera Ipak Aipip

The Salt of the Ancestors – Recorded by Early Missionaries

Early missionaries were amazed by Enga’s salt-making expertise and documented this craft under the term “Kera Ipak Aipip,” meaning:

“The salt of the ancestors.”

This acknowledges:

The ancient age of the practice

• The scientific intelligence behind it
• The cultural importance of salt in Enga society
• The method predates Western contact by many generations and showcases the ingenuity and environmental understanding of Enga’s early communities.

Yapipap Aipip (Salt)

Salt as Wealth, Medicine, and Social Currency

In Enga culture, salt "Aipipap Aipip" was more than food seasoning. It was wealth.

Salt played a vital role in:

Bride wealth payments

• Trade between clans and distant tribes
• Conflict resolution and peacekeeping
• Honouring visitors and allies
• Daily cooking and preservation of food
• Traditional salt could strengthen alliances, mend relationships, and build new ones. In marriage ceremonies, salt symbolised purity, connection, and the joining of families.

This tradition links to the Engan expression:

“Wanaku Ipa Toko” Girls are bridges.

A young bride carried relationships, respect, and unity between families. Salt was often part of the exchange that established these lifelong bonds.

Live Demonstration at the Cultural Tumbuna Show

Visitors will witness:

The entire traditional salt-making process, step by step

Storytelling on Kera Ipak Aipip and its missionary history

The cultural meaning of Yapipap Aipip in trade and marriage

Re-enactments of ancient salt exchanges and alliance ceremonies

• This experience preserves and celebrates one of Enga’s most exceptional cultural achievements.

⛰️ Trekking Mt. Yesterday – Journey Through Sacred Landscapes

Description:
Experience an unforgettable trek across the legendary Mt. Yesterday — a sacred peak that overlooks the heart of the Lyumbain ancestral lands. This cultural trekking event combines scenic adventure with the storytelling of elders who guide you through ancestral footpaths, ritual sites, and panoramic views of the Upper Lagaip Valley.

🌟 Highlights:

Trek led by local guides and youth rangers

• Cultural interpretation along the trail (sites of tribal gatherings, stone formations, cave drawings)
• Panoramic viewing of 5 clan territories
• Sunrise ceremony at the summit
• Certificate of completion for all hikers
• “Walking this mountain is like walking through the past.” — Trek Guide, Philip Yowak

⚠️ Trek Info:

Trek Duration: 4–6 hours round-trip

Difficulty: Moderate (age 12+)

What to Bring: Hiking boots, refillable water bottle, camera, light jacket

Group Limit: 30 participants only – first come, first served!