Kerema

Infobox PNG Place
type = town
name = Kerema
othername =
province = gul
llg = Kerema Urban, Kerema Rural, East Karema Rural
lang = Tok Pisin, Toaripi
langarea = Toaripi
dot_x = 78
dot_y = 106

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caption = A satellite image of Kerema
pop = 5,116
popdate = 2000
poprank = 25th
est =
postcode =
elevation = 6
coor = coord|7|58|S|145|46|E
maxtemp =
mintemp =
rainfall =
dist1 =
location1 =

Kerema is the capital of Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea. It is located on the coast of Gulf of Papua. The Gulf region is aptly named for its concave costline with large deltas. The Gulf area is a riparian region were many rivers from the southern slopes of the highlands drain into.

Culture and Tradition

The popular language spoken in Gulf Province is Torapi. The villages towards the East of Kerema from Hamuhamu to Iokea and inland to Moveave all speak Toaripi.The Gulf's traditional culture and knowledge was one of the first to be exposed to the outside world. Thus it was one of the first dying cultures, as outsiders mainly Christian missionaries have indoctrinated 80% of the coastal people to abandon most of their culture.

History

James Chalmers, or 'Tamate' as the locals of Toaripi called him, was the first white man to land in the province. He first landed in Iokea in 1885.

Industry

The Gulf area is blessed with many natural resources such as abundant marine life, rich jungle, sago, betelnut (buai), and many others. Currently oil explorations are showing positive results and it will be major income earner to the province. Fishing, logging and oil are the main industries, although betelnut and sago are the major cash crop for the local people. Gulf people supply 80% of the betelnut and sago to Port Moresby markets for cash.