SUMMARY

The conflict between Kuboma and Kulumata started in the beginning of September 2022, when a man from Kuboma was killed in a dispute over a soccer game. It was reported that it was tense between Kuboma and Kulumata after the killing, which was accompanied by the damaging of crops before the conflict escalated.

Although tribal conflicts are common in Papua New Guinea, the Area Manager of Kiriwina Island where the conflict occurred argued that it rather was an instance of conflict between two different zones composed of villages.

In late October, the Kuboma villagers supposedly destroyed the yam gardens of the Kulumata villagers. Gardens were a focal point in these villages, as they are valuable and key for livelihood. The Kulumata villagers then went to authorities to address the situation and demand they deal with the issue, where they were faced with Kuboma villagers who were waiting for them. The conflict was conducted with spears and bush knives, but also with firearms, which intensified the event.

The root causes of the conflict remain ambiguous, with different individuals holding differing perspectives. Some stated the rivalry between the villagers was layered, containing a political division between them, whereas others claimed the conflict had no political motivation.

The non-state conflict between the two groups was first included in UCDP data in 2022, which was also the only year the conflict was active. In October of that year violent clashes in terms of shooting and stabbing erupted on Kiriwina Island, resulting in over 25 deaths.