PNG dancers urged to remove underwear

Papua New Guinean dancers have been urged to take off their bras and underpants in the interests of tradition.

The request came from the organisers of an important PNG cultural festival after some dancers wore Western-style underwear to traditional "singsing" performances this week.

Goroka Show chairman Mewie Launa said the dances should be performed by bare-breasted women. "Take off the bras and underwears because they are not recognised in PNG traditional culture," Launa told participants at the Goroka Show.

Launa is a highly respected community leader in Goroka, the capital of PNG's Eastern Highlands.