Mendi

Introducing Mendi

Despite being the provincial capital, Mendi is a relatively small town, built around an airport. It shelters in a long green valley, surrounded by beautiful limestone peaks. There is not much to keep you hanging around in Mendi – it’s really just the starting point for a trip into the Tari Basin or Lake Kutubu.

Mendi isn’t as volatile as it was a few years back and recently, even during the 2007 elections, it has been relatively well behaved. Nonetheless the general vibe is that it’s only a few stiff drinks away from sliding back to its warring ways. If a war is on, it will most likely be fought near town (at the fields at the end of the runway) and be confined to the aggrieved parties.

There’s an artefacts shop near Mendi Motors that sells hand-loomed products, baskets and weapons. Mendi dolls make a good buy, although they are now rarely in the traditional designs, which had religious significance.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009