Description :
PAPUA, Truly of Heaven
“Journeys back with Colours to discover one of the diving world's great eco-success stories. Gather local wisdom by keep in touch with nature”
Indonesia has two provinces in easternmost, Papua Island which is directly border with New Guinea. So, this one underline that Papua is different with their neigbour, New Guiniea. There are West Papua (Sorong) and Papua (Jayapura).
West papua, the province covers the Bird's Head and Bomberai peninsulas and the surrounding islands of Raja Ampat. Speaking about Raja Ampat, it's the most popular site for diving around the world. Raja Ampat has put Indonesia's once isolated West Papua province on the world diving map. Located in the eastern part of this vast island nation, it's an archipelago comprising the islands of Misool, Salawati, Batanta and Waigeo. Dotted with tranquil bays and roughly 1.500 majestic limestone rock islands or jungle-shrouded sandy cays, this destinations incredible marine diversity gives it an impressive wow factor. so much so that ocean conservation groups from around the world have banded together to protect and preserve, as well as promote, this special part of the sea called Coral Triangle.
On this islands there is a great diversity of wild flowers too. Some have strong aromas while others have a delicate scent. There is a large abundance of various kinds of orchids including some ground orchids, the tiger and rabbit orchids, the iron orchid and Kribo orchid that only exists in Papua and sought by orchid lovers. Papua and Raja Ampat are their paradise. Not only that if you are out in the islands, birdwatching is a must. There are birds of paradise and other desirable feathered friends for avian lovers to check off their exotic list. Listen to the different birds calls of the 250-plus species found in the Raja Ampat area. Islands like Waigeo are popular with birders, who will see pigeons, doves, hornbills, parrots and cockatoos as well as honeyeaters and raptors.
Besides that, Korowai Tribe. They are a people who live in southeastern West Papua in the Indonesian Province of Papua. Generally, the Korowai clans live in tree houses on their isolated territory. Since 1980 some have moved into the recently opened villages of Yaniruma at the Becking River banks and much more village. The village absenteeism rate is still high, because of the relatively long distance between the settlements and the food (sago) resources. Formerly, The Korowai have been reported to practice ritual cannibalism. But today, cannibalism is no longer practiced by the Korowai clans that have had frequent contact with outsiders.
Moving on Papua provinces. Fulfilled by Indigenous people such Dani Tribe, Asmat Tribe, Kamoro tribe, Korowai Tribe and much more. The Dani live near Baliem Valley, exactly Regency Jayawijaya, Papua Province. They live in Honai, a traditional Papua house. The Dani tribe is divided into 30 clans, lead by a headman called AP Cain. The Headman is a highly respected person, honest and powerful. They have big influence upon the community and governance of the tribe. AS with other tribes in Papua, Dani wear koteka to cover the male genitalia. While women wear skirts made of grass or fiber. Their language is the language of the heredity family Melanesians, known as Central Papua Language.
War Tradition of Dani. The famoust tradition so that we can see this tradition in Baliem Valley Cultural Festival each August. Dani is known to be skillful in warfare and using weapons. There are several factors: the struggle for territory, the struggle for women or family matter. But that was the past. Now, they rarely have a war, but it doesn’t mean the culture of war has gone completely. They often perform war rituals in certain events. Typically before the war, they would play traditional Dani musical instruments called Pikon to start the fight. The headman will stand on the pole and see the enemy.
The ritual of finger-cutting or ear-cutting in Dani. The ritual is held when they lose their family member such as their husband of wife. They believe that this ritual can make them see their beloved persons in the next life. It’s also different with cutting-ears. This tradition is intended for naughty kids who don’t obey their parents. For example: a kid who doesn’t want to help parents to find firewood, cook, care of pigs the family garden.
And then, Ritual Stone Burning. This ritual still exists today and called helikitbakema. It’s held to show their gratitude from Dani to God such as prayed for one who will go to college out of town. Usually, they served pork along with other side-dishes such as potatoes/ hepiri, hom, cassava, kupak, yigapu, corn, wakaleko, and vegetables. Before they cooked, they made a hole and covered it with grass which they used as a plate to make the food stay clean. In the other side, some people had set up wood and stone to be baked. The stone was placed on the grass along with the menus to be eaten. Lastly, the meals were covered with grass. This ritual is held in every stage of their life from birth until the death. This shows us about the togetherness.
Okay Next, About Asmat Tribe. The Asmat people who inhabit the rivers that drain the southwest part of New Guinea, exactly region on the island's southwestern coast bordering the Arafura Sea. The Asmat have one of the most well-known woodcarving traditions in the Pacific, and their art is sought by collectors worldwide. They are among the most prolific and proficient woodcarvers in Indonesia, producing a huge range of objects that include drums, human figures, shields, canoes and ceremonial poles, among other items.
There are usually related to ceremonies to avenge those who died an unnatural death, caused by sorcery. The woodcarvers are talented individuals whose skill and reputation enable them to enjoy considerable prestige in their community. Wood carving is an integral part of ritual life for the Asmat, as the carvings mediate between the world of the living and that of their ancestors. It’s through their wood carving that they make direct contact with their ancestors, even today.
Last but not the least, Kamoro Tribe. The Kamoro live in the West, Central and East Mimika districts situated in the coastal zone which runs from FakFak to Merauke along the Afura Sea which is about 300 km long. About 40 villages, with a 100 to 500 inhabitants each, are situated either along the river or on the sea front. Most of the Kamoro move from one place to the next in their traditional prauw (wooden canoe made from a tree trunk).
There is tradition in Kamoro, the Kàware Festival, celebrates new life after death. This festival is associated with the sea, the beach and the coast. The Kàware ritual is dedicated to the spiritual aspect of male fertility and passing on of male skills. Thus the men are trained to be wood cavers and at this time new canoes are carved out of a specially felled trees selected for the ceremony. These canoes are decorated with special ornaments placed on the prow and with festively carved paddles, which have been cut from a hard wood. Because of the canoe-making aspect of the festival, it is also known as the tree-canoe festival.
It’s all about Papua Islands and cultures. So, it's true in touch with nature and culture, isn't? Waiting for what guys? Come and join with us, booking your trip with believable operatour, Indonesia Trip Advisors J
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