The provinces of Papua and West Papua are located in the eastern part of Indonesia, which is still thick with art and culture. The Papuan people respect the culture and arts passed down from generation to generation. The following are references to cultural tourism places in Papua that are interesting to visit.
Cultural Tourism Places in Papua
Baliem Valley
It is a valley in the Jayawijaya mountains. Located at an altitude of 1600 meters above sea level produces naturally beautiful scenery surrounded by mountains. This valley is known as the residence of the Dani tribe, which is located in Wosilimo Village, 27 km from Wamena.
In addition to the Dani tribe, other tribes live next door, namely the Yali tribe and the Lani tribe. The Baliem Valley Cultural Festival is held every August as a war event between the Dani, Lani, and Yali tribes.
This power struggle has been going on for generations since 1989. Not only inter-tribal wars but there are also cultural and artistic performances. The festival is certainly safe for tourists who also want to enjoy it.
Mansinam Island
Mansinam Island is located in Direh Bay, the capital city of West Papua, Manokwari. As a historic place for the start of a new civilization in Papua, this island began with the entry of two missionaries from Germany, Carl William and Goltob Geisller (Ottow and Geisller).
On February 5, 1855, from their love service, they finally fell in love with the beauty of Masinam Island and its inhabitants. There are many historical relics related to the spread of religion carried out by the missionaries of Ottow and Geisller on Masinam Island:
- From the existence of a memorial to the entry of the gospel in Papua,
- Reliefs depicting the arrival of missionaries who residents welcomed,
- The remains of the church that Ottouw and Geissler first built,
- The old well beside the church that is still in use today,
- And don’t forget the giant statue of Jesus Christ.
Kokas Archaeological
This site is located in Fakfak Regency, West Papua. This site enriches the cultural tourism places in Papua by finding various red hands and footprints on the rock walls of cliffs and caves located by the sea.
This tourist attraction is known as the Ancient Kokas site or Tapurangga. You can also find hundreds of bird species such as cranes, cockatoos, parrots, and birds of paradise that live freely.
There are also human bone skeletons. Some people believe it to be the skeletons of the ancestors or ancestors of the coke community. In ancient times, the people had a habit of placing the bodies of their deceased ancestors on cliffs, alcoves, capes, large trees, and caves in places they considered sacred.
West Papua Kiti Kiti Waterfall
A hidden gem and cultural tourism places in Papua in the same area is Kiti Kiti waterfall. This location is a must-see if you enjoy swimming, diving, or snorkeling. Those activities are feasible because the water flows directly to the sea rather than through a river.
Sentani Lake
Lake Sentani is located in Jayapura Regency, Papua. This lake has a view that is no longer in doubt with its beauty and art. Several villages surround Lake Sentani. These villages, whose culture and arts attract many tourists’ attention and local handicrafts, are also recognized as the best in Papua.
Not only extraordinary natural wealth. Biodiversity in the form of matoa trees, areca nuts, and eucalyptus trees are typical plants often found around the lake. In addition, various types of land and water fauna, such as butterflies, tilapia, lohan fish, and alum fish, are widely distributed around the waters of Lake Sentani.
Wrapping Up
These are some alternative cultural tourism places in Papua. I hope your trip is enjoyable. Remember that there is a very strong connection between the environment and culture of indigenous peoples, as seen by the community’s enjoyment of farming, fishing, and livestock-raising traditions.
Customs and traditions are often clearly observed in agricultural and fishing operations. Papuan uses traditional symbols and rituals to mark the beginning and completion of each activity as a benchmark for preserving culture (customs and traditions) and the environment.
