The Abelam live on the fertile foothills and plains between the Prince Alexander Mountains near Maprik and the Wosera area above the Sepik River. They cultivate yams as their main staple crop.
Rituals associated with yams are a major part of their spiritual life.
Basket yam masks are an essential part of the yam harvest ceremonies. Wosera Basket yam mask Abelam hill village houses hug close to the warmth of the earth. Their spectacular A-frame Haus Tambarans start low in the back and soar up to 80 feet in the front. Gardens are cleared and burned from the jungle. Digging sticks and special yam shovels with clan figures on top are used to prepare the deep, soft soil needed to grow yams.