Is the Lost Tribe of Israel found in Papua New Guinea?

A Florida International University religious studies professor Tudor Parfitt recently conducted a research expedition to Papua New Guinea, where he studies the Gogodala, a tribe of former cannibals who believe they are one the Lost Tribes.

The Gogodala are hunter-gatherers in western PNG with very little connection to the outside world. But from the very first encounters with western explorers in the 17th century, the idea took root that ancient Israelite communities were to be found in the islands of the Pacific. Later, Australian missionaries further propagated the idea.

At the request of tribe leaders, a decade ago, Parfitt conducted DNA testing on the Gogodala to see if he could establish any link to the Middle East. The tests were inconclusive. Nonetheless, the Gogodala have continued to embrace Judaism. During this visit, he was surprised to see how the Jewish practice had developed in the tribe.

"The bedrock of the religious identity of the Gogodala remains in some respects, their traditional belief system, upon which has been grafted Christianity, which was introduced to the tribe in the 1950s by missionaries," Parfitt said.

"On top of that has been grafted a kind of Judaism. More and more of the Gogodala wear yarmulkes and prayer shawls. They've started celebrating Jewish holidays and they are using more Hebrew."

The idea that the population can trace its roots back to ancient Israel is shared by other tribes. There are those who believe that the whole Papuan population has its roots in the Holy Land.

Parfitt, who has written 25 books, has been studying Judaizing movements around the world for 30 years. He is best known for his work with the Lemba tribe of Africa, which was shown to have an historic link to Israel.

His recent book Black Jews in Africa and the Americas records the growth of Israelite movements throughout Africa and elsewhere. His research trip shows that the Gogodala are part of this growing, global Israelite movement. 

Parfitt conducted DNA testing on the Gogodala to see if he could establish any link to the Middle East. The tests were inconclusive.

Areal photograph of Kuk Archaeological Site that has some links to the believe that PNG is an Ancient Country with well over 20-30, 000 years ago they have lived an organised life.  

Professor Tudor Partiff.

If this is neither the Gogodalas nor the Haggais then it must be the entire PNG island population. We wish to meet Prof Tudor Partiff in person if he is still interested in this research of the claim that the lost tribe of Israel is in PNG. It is also interesting to read some comments that the Garden of Hidden is in PNG. We have heard these words some 10-15 years ago but never took seriously as it would mean anything to link that up. Just recently in our quest to write up some tour packages,  we meet some of our old friends like Philip Ukuni who is strongly influenced by the fact that what prophet Isaiah said in the book Isaiah Chapter 11 verses 2 to 16 that connects......island of the seas.

Yes it was prophetic words "......island of the seas". And those Australian missionaries came to PNG being inspired by these words.

At Kuk Archaeological Site, now listed as World Heritage, dated back to 7,000 years ago the fertile land of vast Waghi Valley was continuously cultivated, and over 10,000 years possibly the time span. The evidence of digging ditches with wooden tools were from 4,000 BP (before present) to present time. The remains of some of the sharpen stones used at Kuk Agricultural Site were too heavy for an average man to lift. It is believed, at the era some huge human beings existed.

 Yuku Rock Shelter in the Baiyer River (Plant microfossil analysis revealed cave occupied from before 14,200 BP to recent times), another evidence to claim PNG an Ancient place. In Chimbu, Nombe Rock Shelter discovered human activity first documented about 25,000 BP and continues through to present time.

If the island of PNG has a link of more organised life way back to over 30-40, 000 years BP years ago, then there is a strong link between what Professor Tudor Partiff believes. It could have been the Garden of Hidden or the lost tribe of Israel.

The spiritual interpretation of Isaiah 11:2-16, convinces that the island of PNG is the .......".............the island of seas."

Having said these, arguably PNG is an Ancient country, with more organised life thousands of years ago. There is a link from Israelite cultural where it says those who eat the meat of pigs and rats......some people in PNG are the only race of human who could eat the meats of pigs and rats. The bride price culture is similar to the Israelite. The New Guinea Island tribes believed in an existence of god. For instance, the Western Highlanders sacrifice pigs to their female spirit, Amb Kor for blessings. This is similar to Jews Culture. Interestingly many cultural practices are similar between Jews-Israelite and PNG-Melanesian. There is a need for further research into this connection. We wish to meet the Professor and those who are interested in this. Thank you!

Professor Tudor Partiff.