A trade link existed between Kandep in Enga province, Mendi and Poroma before the European contact. The trade route was to trade suringi salt ( a traditional salt made from lakes in suringi) and Kutubu tree oil . Even after the arrival of the white man the trade continued into the late 70s.
People from Kutubu brought tree oil to Poroma and Poromo people traded with Mendi, Ialibu and Nipa people where the oil reached Mendi, Mt Hagen, Tari and Kandep. The oil was an expensive trading commodity used for body decoration during singsings and marriages. The Kandep people traded their salt with the Mendi people and reached other centers utilizing the same trading route.
This was the biggest trading route in the Highlands where salt and oil played a very important role far and wide across Southern Highlands, Hela, Western Highlands, Enga , Jiwaka and went as far as Simbu.
These pictures were taken by David Robert Eastburn in the early 70s. We will appreciate if someone can identify them.
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