Teluk Wondama has become a regency since 2002 after being separated from Manokwari Regency, West Papua. The regency has interesting stories since being established, but surprisingly Teluk Wondama history is beyond imagination; it has a trace of prehistoric humans and other sites worth to visit. Take a look at the elaboration below.
Teluk Wondama Regency in History
Historically, Teluk Wondama Regency used to be part of Manokwari Regency, but since 2002 the Manokwari Regency has been divided into three regencies, namely: Manokwari, Teluk Bintuni, and Teluk Wondama Regencies.
There was a long process behind the formation of Teluk Wondama Regency. It was all preceded by the aspirations of the people with support of the central government and local government of Manokwari Regency. As various aspects required as an autonomous region had been fulfilled, Teluk Wondama Regency was eventually established to accelerate development and make the governance in the area of West Papua more effective. Also, the regency encompasses more aspects, like standard area width, geography, socio-cultural aspects as well as its great potential of natural resources.
On April 12, 2003, Teluk Wondama Regency was inaugurated and obtained its autonomous status. The first years after its formation were transitional years in which there were no executive or legislative institutions. There was also no regional regulation, so all remained referred to the regulations in Manokwari Regency. Moreover, the facilities and infrastructure for office were still far from adequate, so many activities still required to be managed from Manokwari.
The Historical Remains of Austronesian in Wondama Bay
Wondama Bay Regency, West Papua is believed to contribute several historical remains of Austronesian people in Papua. The people of Papua people were initially from Austronesian and Papuana people who were the indigenous Papuans. The Austronesian people were giant humans, and they were part of the history of human and civilization of the Papuan people.
The Austronesian people tended to live and settle in coastal areas, while the Papuana people tended to inhabit mountainous areas. The first humans in Papua who lived on the coast could be called the ancient humans. Their height could reach 3 meters or even more. They went fishing by walking 100 meters by the seashore but didn’t sink because their body build was uniquely huge.
The historical traces of Austronesian people in Teluk Wondama can be located on Yogmewos Island. Huge and tall fossil bones were found on the island, it is believed that there are still many relics of Austronesian human history that can predictably be discovered in the area. Historical evidence found, like work tools and folklore, still exists today.
The area of Teluk Wondama was predictably chosen by the Austronesians as it is shady and convenient to inhabit. Apart from the area, they were also spread in the northern and southern coastal areas of Papua. There were two groups of Austronesian people inhabiting the regions, namely Waropen and Biak Tribes conquering the north coast and other groups coming to the south coast.
The Aitumieri Hill
In Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua, precisely in Wasior District, you can find Aitumieri Hill. The hill is believed to witness the early history of Papuan civilization.
On the Aitumieri Hill, you can find more historical sites. They are “Batu Peradaban” (the stone of civilization), “Batu Inspirasi” (the stone of inspiration) and an old school building founded by Isyak Samuel Kijne, an evangelist or missionary, hundreds of years ago. The school used to become a learning center for the previous generations of Teluk Wondama. Now it has been renovated and turned into a Christian Education Foundation Junior High School or YPK Aitumieri.
The site of Batu Inspirasi is the farthest. The oral history mentioned that it was the seat of Isyak Samuel Kijne to contemplate ideas or inspiration about progress and civilized Papuan society in the future. To reach the site, you have to walk through a thousand inclining steps. Luckily, the forest surrounding the hill is quite dense, so you’ll get protected from the sun.
It takes approximately 30 minutes from the first steps to the site. The sound of the singing wild birds inhabiting the hill would be much entertaining, and all fatigue would be paid off completely when you arrive at the destination. You can sit by the rock while imagining what the historical actor who contributed a great service to human civilization in Teluk Wondama at that rate: Isyak Samuel Kijne.
Between fractures and rock holes, you’ll see cash ranged from 1,000 to 50,000. The money is deliberately placed by visitors to the site as a proof of how strong the community’s belief in the value or sacredness of the stone is.
Around Batu Inspirasi is a waterfall and to get reach the location is not easy. You need to go through the bushes and over the cliffs to arrive at the waterfall. When you reach the spot, enjoy the freshness of the water, get showered and drink freshwater as much as you want. It is a such hidden paradise and the local people believe that this is where the Papuan civilization began.
Those are several highlights about Teluk Wondama history, the prehistoric traces and more historical areas found there. West Papua is totally worth to learn and visit.
