“Miklouho-Maclay XXI Century. Maclay Coast 2023”. Research in Papua New Guinea continues with Miklouho-Maclay Jr.

During April-May 2023, the scientist, descendant and full namesake of the outstanding explorer of the South Pacific, Nickolay Miklouho-Maclay will be in an expedition in Papua New Guinea.

Expedition goals

Study of the impact of globalization and modern socio-cultural and political processes on modern Papua New Guinean society. Identification of the main areas for cooperation and prospects for the development of international relations between the Russian Federation and Papua New Guinea (PNG). Coordination of scientific, educational projects with the leading scientific educational institutions.

Expedition plans and tasks

Organizing and conducting fieldwork in the Madang region, the Maclay Coast, and investigating the changes that have occurred in the indigenous cultures of northeast New Guinea since the Russian expeditions in the XIX century, as well as in the villages of the Port Moresby capital region. The expedition starts on 29 April 2023. The first point of the itinerary is Madang, then the traveler is going to travel to the Maclay Coast and visit the villages of Gorendu, Bongu, Gumbu, Male and Bil Bil Island. Meetings with students and the academic community are planned at the universities in Madang and Port Moresby, as well as a screening of the new documentary “The Maclay Coast”. A series of meetings with the scientific, business and political elite of the country is planned in the capital of Port Moresby: at the University of Papua New Guinea, the University Archives and the Russian Corner. The expedition team is going to return to Russia on May 27.

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Background

Russia has a long-standing tradition of exploring the South Pacific and Papua New Guinea (PNG), starting with the first expedition of the Russian traveler N. N. Miklouho-Maclay in the XIX century, who, through his scientific and social activities for the rights and independence of the dark-skinned peoples of Oceania, became one of the most revered men in PNG. In the XX century, the Soviet expeditions in 1971 and 1977 resulted in the release of a series of books and articles introducing the unique region, less affected by globalization. In the history of Russia today, the tradition of studying and developing relations with PNG has continued thanks to the Miklouho-Maclay Foundation, which organized expeditions in 2017 and 2019 led by Miklouho-Maclay Jr. The development of relations between the Russian Federation and Papua New Guinea in scientific, cultural, humanitarian spheres was based on materials and connections laid down in the course of modern scientific research and personal contacts of Nickolay Miklouho-Maclay Jr., who is honored there as well as his great ancestor. During the period of COVID-19 restrictions, many projects and established relations were frozen because it seemed difficult to develop them remotely. In the past few years, changes in the socio-cultural, economic and foreign policy processes in the region have been occurring quite rapidly, which requires the collection of factual material during field research and business meetings for analysis and presentation of factual information, in continuation of the historical scientific traditions. The new expedition will contribute to the continuation of the traditions established by Russian scientists, to the development of friendly relations between the peoples of our countries, and to the analysis of the development at the present stage of the largest country of the Independent State of Papua New Guinea. The expedition is organized by the Miklouho-Maclay Foundation with the support of the Association of the South Pacific Researchers.

More about the Foundation’s expeditions: https://mikluho-maclay.org/expeditions/

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