Physically, people from ethnic groups in Papua have slightly different characteristics from other ethnic groups in Indonesia. Papuans tend to be big, black, and have curly hair. Why is that so?Here are the information about Etnics in Papua.
Obviously, the ancestors of the ethnic groups in Papua do have a different race from other ethnic groups. In the ancestral history of Indonesia, there are two races that have inhabited the archipelago for a long time, the Mongoloid race in the west and north; and the Australomelanesid Race in the east and south. Papuans come from the Autralomelanesid race, while the Malays come from the Mongoloid race.
However, the ancestors of the Papuans were the first to live and inhabit the archipelago in the past. Its existence can even be reversed when Homo sapiens migrated out of the African continent 100,000-300,000 years ago. The continent of Africa by experts is believed to be the source of the origin and evolution of hominids (ancient humans). This is effect for ethnics in Papua.
The First Human in the Archipelago
In groups in groups, they followed the coastline by continuing on from Africa until they arrived in Southeast Asia. They are the class called the Melanesian Race and reduce the Papuan ethnicity. Papuans are their direct lineage. His physical characteristics are still the same, namely red and curly hair. Evidence of the trip was found in the Lida Ajer area, West Sumatra in the form of teeth that were 73,000-63,000 years old. There are also stone tools in eastern Indonesia that date back 45,000-20,000 years.
Reporting from Historia.id, Harry Widianto, head of research at the Yogyakarta Archeology Center, said that these early modern humans later became the ancestors of the Autralomelanesid race which soon spread throughout the archipelago since 15,000 years ago. Initially they explored around New Guinea, including the Bismarck Islands on the east coast of New Guinea, the Pacific Ocean, to Southeast Australia. This become history of ethnics in Papua.
Their population lived and thrived in Australia until 30,000 years ago. Some settled in Australia as Aboriginal Tribes, some later migrated to Nusa Tenggara, Java, and Kalimantan 15,000-5,000 years ago. The Australomelanesid race ruled the archipelago until 5,000 years ago. Obviously, they became a great race in the archipelago. Read also Origin Name Of Papua And Characteristics Of People that you need to know.
Dominate Most of the Archipelago
Long before the arrival of the Mongoloid Race, the Australomelanesid Race first ruled the archipelago. They live and settle in the caves of East Java, Central Java, Yogyakarta, Sumatra, Kalimantan, West Nusa Tenggara, and East. No wonder Peter Bellwood in his book “Prehistory of the Indo-Malaysian Archipelago” mentions that the Sunda Mainland, Wallacea, and Sahul Mainland are Old Melanesian regions. Here you will know about history ethnics in Papua.
It can be concluded, Papuans are direct descendants of early modern humans who arrived in the archipelago 70,000 years ago and descended the Australomelanesid race. While the people of Nusa Tenggara are direct descendants of the Papuans. Harry said that Papua was the eldest, the oldest of his ancestors. The population that inhabits the archipelago continues to evolve into diverse groups. Changes experienced in the form of a small face and skull bones.
Meanwhile, the Mongoloid race only arrived in the archipelago 5,000 years ago. In particular they are referred to as Austronesian speakers. They came from southern Taiwan who later lived in the former residence of the Australomelanesid Race. Between the Mongoloid and Australomelanesid Races lived together in peace. Some experience racial mixing through marriage, especially in the Wallacea region, such as Nusa Tenggara and Sulawesi. This will effect for ethnics in Papua.
There are explanation about ethnics in Papua. Hope this article is useful.
