Arfak Mountains Regency is an expansion area of Manokwari Regency which was formed based on the Law of the Republic of Indonesia Number 24 of 2012 concerning the Establishment of Arfak Mountains Regency in West Papua Province. This is the highest mountain in West Papua.
The Arfak Mountains are a group of mountains that stretch across the bird’s head of the island of Papua. Has a height between 15 meters to 2,950 meters above sea level (asl). Based on the altitude classification, the Arfak Mountains area has diverse ecosystem types which are divided into three main forest ecosystem types, namely:
(1) Lowland rainforest (<300 meters),
(2) Foothill forest (300 – 1,000 meters), and
(3) Mountain slope rain forest – lower mountain forest (1,000 – 2,800 meters).
The difference in the ecosystem zone makes the Arfak Mountains area rich in high-value biodiversity. In the Arfak Mountains area, it is estimated that there are 110 mammal species with 44 recorded species, 320 aves species, of which 5 are endemic to the Arfak – Tambrauw Mountains area such as Cenderawasih Arfak (Astrapia Nigra), West Parotia (Parotia Sefilata) and Namdur Polos. (Amblyornis Inomatus). This is the highest mountain in West Papua. Read also Kinds of Traditional Clothing And Traditional Weapon In West Papua Culture that you need to know.
The expanse of tropical forest vegetation in this area has become a palace that provides life for at least 12,000 people from the four indigenous tribes who live here, namely: Hatam, Meyakh, Sough and Moley. In the Arfak Mountains there is the highest mountain in West Papua, namely Mount Umsini (2,950 m asl), where on this mountain there are two lakes, namely Lake Anggi Gita (2,500 ha) and Anggi Gigi (1,800 ha).
Because of its important role for flora, fauna and humans, through the Decree of the Minister of Forestry No. 783/Kpts-II/1992 dated August 11, 1992. The highest mountain in West Papua were designated as the Arfak Mountains Nature Reserve (CAPA). In the decision it was determined that this area spanned an area of 68,325 hectares covering 8 districts, such as: Mengambouw, Membey, Hingk, Tanah Rubuh, Warmare, South Manokwari, Ransiki and Oransbari.
The Arfak tribe consists of four tribes, namely Hatam, Meyakh, Sough and Moley which have almost the same culture but have different languages. These four major tribes have been inhabiting the Arfak Mountains area for generations with clear territorial divisions.
The Hatam tribe is the largest inhabiting the southern. This is the highest mountain in West Papua area or in the Oransbari and Ransiki Districts; The Meyakhs inhabit the eastern part of the Warmare and Prafi Districts, they are often called the “Arfak Asli” people; The Sough tribe is generally located in the northern part or in the Anggi District area. Furthermore, the Moile Tribe is scattered in the western part of the Arfak Mountains or in the Minyambouw District.
Shifting cultivation is the main livelihood of the Arfak community. They let their gardens become forests again after one or two harvests. Types of crops grown are sweet potatoes and taro, in addition to papaya, bananas and vegetables. To cultivate crops they still use slashing and burning forests on land they consider fertile.
Apart from being a means of shifting cultivation, the use of the forest by clan residents is for hunting areas, where residents are used as a source of animal protein. The animals they hunt a lot are moles, cuscus and tree kangaroos, while wild boars are consumed and raised. The tools used for hunting are bows and arrows made of bamboo and old nibung and reeds. This activity is only done by men. Another livelihood is fishing in the lake.
There are explanation the highest mountain in West Papua. Hope this article is useful.
