Along With South Papua And Central Papua, Highland Papua Or Papua Pegunungan Becomes The New Province In Indonesia And The Only Province In Papua Which Is Landlocked.
Slug: profile-of-papua-pegunungan-one-of-the-new-province-in-papua
https://i0.wp.com/portalnawacita.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/1-19.jpg?w=800&ssl=1
Indonesia’s president, Joko Widodo, has officially signed three regulations for forming three new provinces in Papua. The three provinces mentioned are South Papua, Central Papua, and Highland Papua or Papua Pegunungan. The new provinces add the two previous provinces, Papua and West Papua.
Among the three new provinces is Highland Papua, the only province in the Cenderawasih Island that is landlocked or not bordered by waters and sea. Let’s take a closer look at the Highland Papua’ profile.
Papua Pegunungan or Highland Papua as New Province
Highland Papua is the new province in Indonesia from the expansion of Papua and West Papua provinces in Indonesia’s House of Representative Plenary Hearing on June 30, 2022. The capital city of this province is Wamena, with the Central Government stated on Jayawijaya Regency.
The division of territory in the Papua Province is hoped to accelerate equitable development, improve public service, boost the community’s welfare, and elevate the dignity of the indigenous Papuans.
Highland Papua is expanded from Papua province along with two other new provinces, South Papua and Central Papua, based on Law number 16 of 2022. The traditional name of this province is La Pago.
Highland Papua is located in the eastern Jayawijaya Mountains. These mountains are the highest peaks in Indonesia, including Mandala Peak and Trikora Peak. In Jayawijaya, a perennial glacier is in danger of melting due to climate change. Highland Papua is also home to Baliem Valley, one of the natural wonders of Papua Island.
Tribes of Highland Papua
Several regions which are included in this Province are Jayawijaya Regency, Lanny Jaya Regency, Puncak Jaya Regency, Nduga Regency, Yalimo Regency, Tolikara Regency, Yahukimo Regency, and Mamberamo Regency. There are 23 tribes inhabiting this area.
The 23 tribes are:
- Dani
- Ndugwa
- Ngalum
- Pesekhem
- Una
- Himanggona
- Korapan
- Timorini
- Biksi
- Murop
- Nayak
- Yali
- Dem
- Ngalik
- Nimbora
- Pyu
- Uria
- Karfasia
- Kupel
- Wanam
- Momuna
- Sela Sarmi
- Nduga
The Nayak tribe inhabits the area in the Baliem Valley, which is around Wamena City towards Mount Trikora. Most of the Nayak tribe lives as sweet potato and taro farmers. Their staple foods include sweet potato, vegetables, and pork piled with hot stones.
In the south central of the highland lives the Nduga tribe. This tribe believes their ancestor came from Seinma, a village in Kurima. Nduga people divide their society into those who inhabit warm areas like Mapenduma and the middle regions like Mbua, and those living in cold areas like Yigi.
To fulfill their daily needs, the Nduga people own plantations and a special area for hunting. Since it is located in the mountains area, they are able to produce several superior commodities, such as coffee, sweet potatoes, red fruit, onions, agar woods, rubber, pineapple, oranges, and a number of vegetables.
Besides producing those commodities, the La Pago people also sell those products to other regions. The border areas of Highland Papua province or La Pago are as follows:
- North: Papua Province
- West: Central Papua Province
- South: South Papua Province
- East: Papua New Guinea
Highland Papua had been noted since the 17th century by a sailor named Jan Carstensz. He mentioned this province as having high snow-covered mountains in the middle of Papua Island, even though this area is located on the equator. The Europeans called this area terra incognita–a mysterious uncharted area.
That was a brief profile of Indonesia’s new province, Papua Pegunungan or Highland Papua. Highland Papua offers many tourist spots to visit besides Baliem Valley. Some of them are Habbema Lake, Nayak Market, Obia Traditional Village, Contilola Cave, Lorentz National Park, and more.
