Sacred flute music of Papua New Guinea

The sacred flute music of Papua New Guinea is a polyphonic tradition from the island country of Papua New Guinea. The playing of bamboo flutes during important events and ceremonies, as a representation of spirit voices or a method of invoking spirits in a ritual context, was traditionally kept secretive and often restricted to men, although women and children are now permitted to witness their playing. The sacred flutes are played during birth ceremonies, initiation ceremonies, marriage preparations, and "pig festivals," and are used throughout the region by different ethnic groups with slight variations in practice.