Ratoos Haoapa is among the few Papuans from the Gulf Province of PNG who continues to express the beliefs and traditions of his ancestors through his paintings. He found his roots as an artist and became involved in a wide range of theatrical presentations in both PNG and Australia. Ratoos belongs to the tribe known as the Elema people who originate around Orokolo and Kerema Bays near the shores of the Gulf of Papua. . The traditions and beliefs of the Elema people are no longer practised today due to the interference from the western world on traditional culture. Ratoos perpetuates his heritage and beliefs through design and symbols.

Source: www.witzig.com.au