In the valleys, houses are near roads or at plantations and missions. They are scattered in other areas, except where tribal fighting causes people to gather in small villages. Dress, personal decoration, weapons, house construction, and traditions vary among the different Western Highlands tribes. Pig exchanges are common to most tribes. The Moka of Melpa speakers is the best known.
Personal decoration is the main art form.
One head-dress may combine feathers of birds of paradise, goura pigeons, parrots, owls, and eagles. The women decorate themselves as colourfully as the men. The Western Highlands Cultural Centre is at Mount Hagen. Western Highlands has the second highest median age and the highest per cent of people who were born in the province and still live there. It ranks low in the education and literacy statistics.