PNG's biological diversity is rivalled only by its cultural diversity. While the population of PNG is only about 5.5 million, comprised mainly of people of Melanesian heritage with dark skin, fuzzy hair and friendly smiles, there are around 800 languages spoken in PNG, representing about one third of the world’s indigenous languages. Melanesian Pidgin, with only about 1300 words, primarily derived from English and German, is widely used for general communication while English is the language of education, administration and commerce.

The total population of West New Britain is about 190,000. There are 7 major tribes, namely the Nakanai, Bakovi, Kove, Unea, Maleu, Kaulong and Arowe, speaking a total of about 25 languages. Within these major tribes, small groups may also differ from each other slightly in dialect and tradition.

While the Christian Church has been very influential in PNG, most people continue to respect their ancestral gods. Animalistic beliefs remain widespread and traditional rituals remain integral in many areas.  People may pray to their ancestral gods when making new gardens, going hunting or fishing, or curing the sick.  Ceremonies that are common to most tribes in WNB include initiation rites for boys and girls, funerals and seasonal ceremonies. Some ceremonies continue for years. For example, a complete ceremony of death may take up to 3 years.

As is common with other tribes in PNG, it remains forbidden that women enter the "Men's House".

Tribes use a variety of masks and other items for different ceremonies, some of which are sacred. The Tumbuan mask is most common and can be found, with slight variations, all over WNB.

Dancing, or the performance of the "singsing", is a common festive practice in PNG. In WNB, there are many different dances. The music, rhythm and dance steps of each tribe are distinct and unique. Some tribes use a kundu drum while others sound out rhythms on the garamut (a hollowed out piece of log). Dancers are dressed in pulpuls (grass skirts) and bark cloth, faces are decorated with paint of clay and bodies adorned with flowers or shells.

There are two types of traditional shell money which are used by most tribes in West New Britain province. Tambu shell are shell beads strung together, and gold leaf (or kina shell) is a large flat shell which is gold in colour and shaped like a leaf. Pigs may still be used for major payments, such as bride price and to pay compensation if required under traditional law.