Indonesia’s number of regional languages increased from 668 languages in 2018 to 801 in 2019. Papua, which has 326 languages, is also the province with the most regional languages. Then, there are 102 West Papua language variations, 71 languages in East Nusa Tenggara, and 62 languages in Maluku.
Both Central Kalimantan and Central Sulawesi have 23 and 21 regional languages, respectively. North Maluku had 19 regional languages, East Kalimantan had 16, and South and Southeast Sulawesi had 14 languages.
West Papua is preferred by nationalists who want to separate from Indonesia and form their own state. This province used to be known as West Irian from 1969 to 1973, and its name was later changed to Irian Jaya by Suharto when he inaugurated the Freeport copper and gold mine, a name that remained in official use until 2002.
In 2004, followed by various protests, the Indonesian government divided Papua into two provinces. The eastern part continued to use the name Papua while the western part became West Irian Jaya, which is now the province of West Papua.
Let’s Get to Know Some West Papua Languages
Abun: Used in Wau Village, Abun District, Tambrauw Regency, West Papua Province.
Second Abun Gii: Used in Werur Village, Bikar District, Tambraw Regency, West Papua Province.
Abun Ji: Used in Jokte Village, Sausapor District, Tambrauw Regency, West Papua Province.
Air Matoa: Used in Rurumo Village, Teluk Etna District, Kaimana Regency, West Papua Province.
Molar: One of the West Papua language variations, the Bahamese language is spoken in Kotam Village, East Fak-Fak District, Fak-Fak Regency, West Papua Province.
Batanta: Used by the people of Pepasena Village, South Batanta District, Raja Ampat Regency, Batanta Island, West Papua Province.
Dusner: Used in Siwosawo Village (Dusner), Kuri Wamesa District, Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua Province. The total population of this village is ±380 people.
Efpan: The Efpan West Papua language is spoken in Durian Kari Village, Central Salawati District, Sorong Regency, Salawati Island, West Papua Province.
Fkour: Used in Pasir Putih Village, Fokour District, South Sorong Regency, West Papua Province.
Gebe: Used in Gag Village, West Waigeo District, Raja Ampat Regency, West Papua Province.
Girimora: Used in Siawatan Village (RT Avona), Teluk Etna District, Kaimana Regency, West Papua Province.
Hatam: Used in Warmare Village, Warmare District, Manokwari Regency, West Papua Province.
Hatam Mole: Used in Warmawai Village, Tanah Rubuh District, Monokwari Regency, West Papua Province.
Iha: The Iha language is used by the people of Kampung Baru, Kokas District, Fak-Fak Regency, West Papua Province.
Jamor: Used in Senderawoy Village, Rasie District, Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua Province.
Cambran: Used in Foug Village, South Aifat District, Maybrat Regency, West Papua Province.
Mee Wosokuno: Used in Wosokuno Village, Yamor District, Kaimana Regency, West Papua Province.
MPur: Used in Kebar Village, Kebar District, Tambrauw Regency, West Papua Province.
Napiti: Used by the people of Urubika Village, Yamor District, Kaimana Regency, West Papua Province.
Pokoro: This language used in Temen Sosian Village, Ayamaru District, Maybrat Regency, West Papua Province.
Ron: Ron’s language is used by the people of Kayob Village (Ron Island), North Wasior District, Teluk Wondama Regency, West Papua Province, with around 100 speakers.
Salkma: Used in Klamit Village, Salkma District, South Sorong Regency, West Papua Province.
Tandia: The Tandian language is one of several languages that have become extinct in Papua.
Wau Arak: Used by the people of Nariki Village, Etna Bay District, Kaimana Regency, West Papua Province.
Yuafeta: Used in Bamana Village, Teluk Etna District, Kaimana Regency, West Papua Province.
Final Takeaway
The number of Papuan and West Papua language variations is 428 languages and is the most prominent language in Indonesia, with 326 Papuan and 102 West Papuan languages. As a final takeaway, ethnic groups in Papua consist of 255 tribes with different languages.
