Milne Bay
provincesislandmaritimecultural
The flag of Milne Bay Province features symbols representing the maritime culture and island heritage of this southeastern province. Milne Bay encompasses over 600 islands and is renowned for the Kula Ring, an elaborate inter-island ceremonial exchange system of shell necklaces and armbands. The province was the site of the Battle of Milne Bay in 1942, the first decisive land defeat of the Japanese in the Pacific War. Its waters are considered among the best diving sites in the world.
The Kula Ring, documented by anthropologist Bronislaw Malinowski, involves the circular exchange of red shell necklaces (travelling clockwise) and white shell armbands (counter-clockwise) among island communities.
Adopted: 1975
