Guiding To Indonesia: West Papua

West Papua

The Capital City of West Papua Province is “Manokwari”

West Irian Jaya is a hot, humid island rising from the sea with some of the most impenetrable jungles in the world and yet also has snowcaps covering 5,000meter - High Mountain peaks, towering over glacier lakes. West Irian Jaya is Indonesia's largest and easternmost province and covers the western half of the world's second largest island. It is a land of exceptional natural grandeur, with beautiful scenic beaches, immense stretches of marshlands, cool grassy meadows and powerful rivers carving gorges and tunnels through dark and dense primeval forests. The most heavily populated and cultivated parts of the island are the Paniai Lakes district and the Baliem Valley to the east.

The people of the island can be divided into more than 250 subgroup, which are closely related to the islands along the southern rim of the Pacific and include among others, the Marindanim, Yah'ray, Asmat, Mandobo, Dani and Afyat. Those in the central highlands still maintain their customs and traditions and because of the terrain have virtually been untouched by outside influences. Communications hove always been difficult here and different tribes have lived, for the most part, in isolation even of each other, resulting in an incredibly diverse mixture of cultures.The name refers to the most western Papua New Guinea. Papua province is also known as Irian Jaya. Geographical boundaries of the province is in the north Pacific Ocean; Seram Sea in the west; Banda Sea in the south, and in the eastern province of Papua. Administratively, the province of West Papua consists of eight counties and one municipality of the district Fak-fak, Kaimana, Wondama Bay, Bintuni Manokwari, South Sorong, Sorong and Raja Ampat and Sorong municipality. The province has 103 districts, 47 villages and 1153 villages.

West Papua is a province with the capital city of Manokwari, and has many attractions such as the object of Nature Tourism, History, Cultural Tours, Special Interest Tour, Culinary Tourism, Sports, Travel Shopping, of the many objects that West Papua is famous natural attractions Raja Ampat waters, the island Mansinam, Tapurarang Archeological Site, and the Bay of Triton. The province also has the potential of natural resources that abound including plantations, mining, forest products, and eco-tourism. Pearl and seaweed is a staple item in commerce in Raja Ampat. Meanwhile, South Sorong district is the only producer of a unique traditional woven cloth called timor clothes. West Papua has the Paradise Bay National Park is located in Wondama Bay District and major natural merupakanwisata in West Papua. Paradise Bay National Park stretches from the eastern peninsula to the northern island Kwatisore Rumberpon with a long coastline of 500 km, reaching 68 200 ha land area, 1.3853 million ha of sea area with details of the 80,000 ha area of 12 400 ha of coral reefs and sea.

E-Maily this is where you should not miss coming to enjoy the beauty of the beaches in marine tourism in Raja Ampat. In West Papua has also been found by a French expedition team speologi a cave that is claimed as the world's deepest cave. This cave is estimated to reach a depth of 2000 meters. Located in the Mountains Lina, Irameba Village, District Anggi, Manokwari. Mountainous region of West Papua's natural wealth is still a mystery and beauty that was amazing.The colors that appear because of the influence of coral reefs in the shallow sea bottom or inside. They were enjoying lunch at the Papua Diving Resort, West Irian Jaya f waters.Hot sun and brisk air makes exasperated guests to dive and dive again. Sunlight often penetrate the crevices of sea waves up to the reef. Beauty scenery and marine life does make a lasting impression for tourists. For lovers of coastal tourism and underwater fanatic, Raja Ampat are very well known even considered the best in the world for the quality of coral reefs.

Many international underwater photographers capture the charm of the sea Raja Ampat. Some even come over and over again and make a special book about the beauty of coral reefs and marine life of this region. Mid-2006, a special team of the world's leading scientific adventure magazine, National Geographic, create coverage in Raja Ampat which will become the main report in 2007.The beach is located in the constellation of the Raja Ampat Islands, Irian Jaya is a tourist place a great choice for lovers of diving. Where islands are located in the western part of Irian surrounded by coral reefs and filled with fish.

Tourism in West Papua is an expanding industry but it brings with it the potential to exploit indigenous West Papuans, both culturally and economically. Virtually all tourists who come to West Papua travel to the Baliem Valley in the highlands. The main town, Wamena, draws tourists who are interested in trekking and in the culture of the local Dani tribes. Unfortunately, that interest in the culture is often exploitative, and the Indonesian administration of the tourism industry is mostly concerned with economic return. Tourists are mostly Dutch and German, with Australians conspicuously absent, probably due to the minimal press West Papua attracts. Most tourist money goes to Indonesians who run the losmen, hotels and small businesses, While the local Dani people can only earn cash through petty trade at the vegetable market or by haggling with tourists over everything from the price of a photo to their occasional work as guides.

The indigenous people are treated as objects of curiosity. Although the Indonesian administration has previously tried to force them to wear clothes and live a more "civilised" lifestyle, today they are happy if they go naked because it is good for tourism. Nowadays, when villagers can afford it, the custom is to sport modern dress, cotton shorts, t-shirts and dresses. Government policy, the missionaries and now tourism have taught the locals to see traditional dress as backward, something to be ashamed of.In the village of Manda for example, clothed villagers are barred from the village while near-naked tribes-people, well-rehearsed and divided into two twelve-member teams, cook and dance in the traditional way for camera carrying tourists. The tourists pay for the food, the dancing, the photos, some handicrafts and a night's accommodation. The next day, after the tourists have left, the villagers climb into their clothes again clothes bought using the profits of tourism.

Biak, an island off the north coast, receives luxury liners because it is one of the world's best diving spots. A five star resort opened there in 1992, laying the groundwork for direct QANTAS flights from Australia, with a golf course, marine park and five luxury hotels. Tourism can provide opportunities for indigenous people to obtain cash and develop their livelihood, while respecting their tradition. The village of Dukun for example, man- ages its own co-operative venture formed to profit from tourism, yet helps them feel pride in their culture. Here, self-determination helps to sidestep the culture shock. Tourists can stay in a village, completely built by the co-operative to house visitors, for Rp 3000 (A $2) a night. The villagers will dress traditionally, dance and have a feast for paying tourists. Tourism can be in keeping with the dignity of indigenous people and can help them to feel pride in their traditions.

You can visit West Papua and discover for yourself the uniqueness of the country's environment and people. Helpful resources are Kal Muller's book Indonesian New Guinea, and John McCarthy's booklet, (plus discussion guide, especially designed for educational use), Are Sweet Dreams Made of This? (see Reference section).Irian Jaya is a tropical island with primeval rain forests, powerful rivers, beautiful beaches, lakes, and mountains. The highest mountain is Mount Jayawijaya, with snowcaps covering its 5,000-meter-high peaks. The area is also rich in natural resources, including fish, timber, and precious metals. These, however ever, have become a source of conflict between the central government and local peoples.

History

Prior to the 16th century and the arrival of the Portuguese, very little was known in the west about this region, but trade with the Molucan Islands, Timor and perhaps Java existed long before this. Within a few years of the conquest of Malacca in 1511 by Portugal, New Guinea began to appear in western literature. In 1526, the first Portuguese governor of the Moluccas landed on Waigeo Island in Raja Ampat, and duly baptised the island 'Ilhas Dos Papuas', or Islands of the Frizzy Haired.

After a few years of unsuccessful attempts to discover this fabled island of gold, Ynigo Ortiz de Retes finally landed in 1545, naming New Guinea and claiming it for the King of Spain. Several failed gold explorations followed, but it was only in 1714 that Spain was forced to relinquish 'control' to Holland and England. The Dutch and English had long been interested in the Papua Province's trade commodities of nutmeg, massio bark, trepang (dried sea cucumbers), tortoise shells, pearls, birds of paradise skins and slaves. The British finally proclaimed a Protectorate at Port Moresby in eastern New Guinea in 1884, the same year as Germany raised its flag on the northeast coast, with the Dutch establishing 2 permanent posts in the west at Fakfak and Manokwari in 1899. The boundaries were settled in 1895 and 1910.

If Papua Province, or Netherlands New Guinea, as it was known then, was ignored by the Dutch, it wasn't by others. Sir Alfred Russel Wallace spent 8 years in the archipelago between 1854-1862. He postulated the bio-geographical boundary dividing Asian and Australasian species, now called the Wallace Line, and was responsible with developing a theory of evolution at the same time as Charles Darwin. Serious exploration of New Guinea's interior was only begun at the start of the 20th century, when contact with many of the island's tribes was first made. However, it was World War II that finally put New Guinea on the map in western history, when it became a fierce battleground between the Japanese and Allied forces. The final push came at the Bird's Head Peninsula, and this area is now home to some fantastic WWII wreck diving opportunities.

With the end of Word War II came the Dutch hand over of territories to Indonesia. However, conspicuously absent from this list was Dutch New Guinea, which was only ceded in 1969 and renamed Irian Jaya in March 1973. Since then the OPM, or 'Free Papua Movement' has campaigned for independence, and the Indonesian government is still reluctant to open some Papuan areas to tourism.

Society and Culture

The house is very unique native Papuans. In Papua, traditional houses called honai with roofs made of coarse grass and walls made of wood with no windows. Papua is a traditional musical instrument atowo, drums and fu. Unique items from Papua is koteka cover male genitalia is made from a dried gourd of water. The size and type of activity koteka bekaitan with the wearer, whether to work or ceremony. Koteka used when working short and long koteka decorations used during traditional ceremonies.Another interesting aspect of the culture and history of Papua is a mummy, usually only the chiefs or warlords who mummified with traditional materials to glorify the history and religious interests mereka.Ada 3 mummies that we can see in Papua; Aikima in Aikima mummy, mummy Jiwika in Jiwika and mummy Purno in Asologaima. The third mummy was in Wamena. There are 24 tribes in Papua, which has a different language. Connected with the ethnic Papuan Asmat and Dani. Handicrafts are famous Asmat wood carvings famous beauty to the world.

The province is divided according to tribe who live in an area. The population of each tribe scattered in various areas. For example, Arfak tribes inhabiting the mountainous region of pemukman Manokwari Arfak to Bintuni. Doteri tribe is a group that moved on the island Numfor Wondama settlements in coastal areas. Kelommpok other tribes who live in this area is a tribal Kuri, Simuri, Irarutu, Moscona, Mairasi, Kambouw, Onim, Sekar, Maibrat, Tehit, Imeko, Moi, Tipin, Maya and Biak.

Culinary

Papeda is the typical food of the most famous Papua. Papeda like porridge and most enjoyable hot. How to eat it is to swallow rather than chew it because it directly like glue. Papeda made of sago is made to take a while because the people of Papua have to cut down sago trees first, then cut and collected on the inside and then cooked. Papeda will taste better if eaten with fish sauce, yellow.

Population

The province has a population of approximately 800,000, making it one of the least populous of all Indonesian provinces. The capital of Irian Jaya Barat is Manokwari. The most populated and cultivated parts of the island are Paniai Lake district and Baliem Valley to the east. The population comprises migrants from Java and indigenous people from diverse tribes, such as Dani of Baliem Valley in the central highlands, Asmat of the southern coastal region, and Ekari of Wissel Lakes region. The official language is Indonesian, but the indigenous people, reflecting the isolation and small numbers of the tribes, speak at least 250 languages.

The People

Black-skinned, hirsute and frizzy-haired, the Papuan people are very distinct from the other Indonesian peoples. Just when these 'Papuans' (relatives of Australia's aboriginals) arrived here is a matter of conjecture. Also unknown is where they came from. One theory has it that they migrated from Africa, and others believe they evolved in situ. The most widely accepted dates for earliest man in New Guinea is around 35-40,000 years ago, and they have remained isolated from their Australian cousins for at least 10,000 years.Even within New Guinea itself, various Papuan groups evolved in relative isolation from one another. This was due to the mountainous terrain but also the states of perpetual warfare that many groups had with neighbours, resulting in New Guinea occupying only 0.01% of the world land area, but contributing 15% of its languages! In Indonesian Papua alone there are 80 different languages spoken by its 1,000,000 people.

Austronesians (Malayo-Polynesians) first appeared in the Indonesian islands around 5,000 years ago, and gradually displaced the Papuan populations over the next 2 millennia. However, they never penetrated into central region, but intermixed with Papuans along the coasts and islands, imposing their languages. The Papua Province's malarial lowland swamps have sago and an abundance of fish, inhabited by swamp dwelling tribes. The best known of these are the Marind-Anim and the Asmat, infamous for their former headhunting and ritual cannibalism.

In the inland foothills and valleys various tribes practice gardening, pig husbandry, hunting and gathering. In some of the jungle areas, cannibalism is still frequently reported and some groups reject Western influence. The highlands are home to the various and famous Danitribes. These are the penis-sheath wearers that farm pigs, and sweet potatoes. In the isolated Silimo Valley live the Jaletribe. Once again, penis gourds and eating visitors play an important role in their culture, and cowrie shells were an accepted form of daily wage as late as the 1960s (oh, for those days at Dive The World). Further to the west are regions occupied by pygmy tribes and the Ekari- Papua Province's very own polygamist and capitalist pig-farmers.