West Papua tribes and their unique cultures, what are they? Papua is known as the easternmost island of Indonesia with its stunning nature and culture. Yes, while its big cities have been filled by modern civilization, many traditional tribes are still lived in its rural areas. Sure, as traditional tribes, they still have traditional cultures and habits also. Their traditions are even very unique but also incredible. So, here are some of them.
Asmat Tribe and Their Carving Skills
Asmat tribe may be the best-known tribe in Papua. It is reasonable as the tribe indeed has the biggest population. More than that, while still living in their traditions, Asmat people are quite open to the world outside. The members even have skills, carving, and the products are sold to tourists or visitors.
Uniquely, carving for Asmat people is not only the way to earn money. It is even actually a part of their rituals. Through this artwork, they commemorate their ancestors who are believed still on a journey to heaven. This way, carving activities are sacred as well as it is their way to pray and communicate to the ancestors’ spirits.
Amungme Tribe and Their Connection to the Mountain
Among many Papuan tribes, Amungme is the second biggest after Asmat. They have unique rituals and habits as well, one of them is being connected to the mountain. Well, it doesn’t mean they think that all the mountains are sacred, for them, there is only Nemang Kawi, a holy mount in West Papua where they live on its slope.
Nemang Kawi itself has meanings. Nemang means an arrow and Kawi is holy or sacred. So, the sacred arrow represents peace for the tribe. Unfortunately, at the same time, Nemang Kawi is the mount where there is a resource of gold. Yes, it is the mountain where a mining company, Freeport mine the gold. That’s why conflicts often happen between Amungme people and Freeport employees.
Dani Tribe, Skillful Farmers
Dani tribe lives in some areas around the Jayawijaya mountains. They spread in many spots in the Jayawijaya district although most of them decide to stay in the Baliem Valley. While tribe members who have been out from the valley tend to live normally like modern people, Dani People in Baliem stay traditional. They still do many activities traditionally including farming.
Yes, rather than using modern technology in farming, they choose to use ancient tools such as stone axes, animal-bone knives, and many more. Even Dani People in the Baliem Valley still wear koteka for men and straw skirts for women. Houses, where they stay, are called Honai.
Maybe, a creepy thing about this tribe is the tradition to cut off their fingers. Female Dani members must cut their fingers when their family and relatives are passed away. Well, although it sounds torturing, they think this tradition is meaningful and very important for their spiritual journey.
Korowai Tribe and Tree Houses
Korowai tribe lives in a lowland area of the Jayawijaya mountain. The area is mostly in the form of swamps, mangrove forests, and wetlands. Sure, it makes the land there not really ideal to build up houses. As a solution, Korowai people choose to live above trees, known also as the high house.
Tree houses of Koroway are commonly built up at a height of around 50 meters. They are not really large only around 7×10 meters. The higher the house, the more prestigious it is. Yes, members of this tribe in Papua believe that the high house is proof that the builder is very smart.
Another fun fact of the Koroway tribe is that until 1970, the members don’t know that there were other people beside them. Yes, they thought that they were the only human who live on earth, even without other West Papua tribes around.
