The Papuans are one of the indigenous people of Indonesia that are protected under the national law by the government of Indonesia, to ensure their stability in economic and development.[2]
Etymology
There are several theories on the origin of the term Papua. One theory is that the name comes from the word Papo Ua shortened from Papo Ua Gam Sio, a Tidorese term which means 'the nine sio (negeri) not being united/joined together', referring to the region under Sultanate of Tidore influence which has competing settlements.[3] The other theory is the term originated from Biaksup i babwalit.'the land below' the sunset, referring to the Raja Ampat Islands as Biak people historically migrated west to these islands from their homeland in the Biak Islands. They claimed themselves to be kawasa ori sarlit.'people from the sunrise'. Babwa in Raja Ampat dialects became Papwa and then Papua. These two theories may be related, as the term can also means 'the subjected land' according to the Ma'ya (non-Biak) Salawati King, one of the four kings, whose ancestor Gurabesi migrated from Biak and conquered these islands under the name of Tidore Sultan and became the intermediaries between settlements on New Guinea coast and Tidore in collecting tributes and trades.[4][5]
Terminology
After the passing of the Special Autonomy Law[id] in 2001, the term "Native Papuan" (Orang Asli Papua, shortened to "OAP") was legally introduced to refer to specifically indigenous tribes from Western New Guinea,[6] as the term Orang Papua has expanded to include migrants and their intermarried descendants who were born in Papua but don't belong to any indigenous tribes from New Guinea. Most Papuan tribes, with exceptions, are patrilineal and do not recognise matrilineal descents as members, as they do not carry the clan names.[7] Though contentious, recognition by a tribal adat council can accommodate female descents and confers OAP status.[8]
The Papuans grouped into numerous ethnicities, they possess various cultures and traditions. They are originally tribal community, shared different customs to one another, living in different isolated areas within the region.[9]Austronesian-speaking tribes listed below are italicised.
The official Agency for Language Development and Cultivation linguistic map of 325 native Papuan languages in Papua (Indonesia) alone (not including another Papuan languages beyond Papua in Eastern Indonesia as a whole).
According to the official Indonesian national linguistic data, there are at least 428 living Papuan languages (and 37 Papua-based isolate languages) natively spoken by the Papuans in Indonesia alone belonging to either Papuan or Austronesian language families,[14] making it the most linguistically diverse community in Indonesia. Papuan languages are also spoken outside of New Guinea such as the Timor–Alor–Pantar speakers in Timor, Alor, and Pantar,[15] as well as North Halmahera in Maluku Islands.[16][17]:20
Carving (especially wood carving) in Indonesian Papuan culture is not merely decorative—it embodies a deep connection to the spirit world, tradition, and community identity.[9] It is a significant artistic and cultural tradition among many Indigenous Papuan communities in Indonesia, especially in regions like Asmat, Kamoro, and Sentani. These carvings are deeply symbolic and often tied to spiritual beliefs, ancestral worship, and daily life.[9]
Among the Asmat Papuans, for example, wood carving is highly developed and serves ritual purposes. They create bis poles, tall carved wooden poles made to honor ancestors and used in funerary ceremonies. The carvings typically depict human figures, animals, and mythological symbols representing strength, protection, and spiritual connection. Meanwhile, Sentani artists are famous for carving motifs into wooden bark paintings and household items, often featuring spiral patterns and stylized figures.[9]
Mummification
Mummy of Weropak Elosak
In some highland communities, such as the Dani tribespeople in the Baliem Valley, mummification called akonipuk[id] is a traditional practice used to honor and preserve the bodies of important tribal leaders or warriors.[9] The process involves smoking the corpse over a fire for weeks to dry and preserve it, often in a sitting position. These mummies are then kept in special huts and are considered sacred, symbolizing ancestral strength and leadership. This tradition is now rare and mostly preserved as cultural heritage.[9] Similar mummification traditions are practiced by the Mee, the Moni, the Lani, the Eipo, among others.
Knitted noken made from Melinjo bark, common in highland areas
It is also inspired the Noken system, a unique electoral method used in Indonesia. Instead of individual voting, community leaders (Papuan tribal chiefs) vote on behalf of their people, often through consensus or traditional customs. This system respects local indigenous Papuan traditions and emphasizes communal decision-making rather than individual ballots. This system also known colloquially as 'Papuan hanging bag system' (named after the hanging Noken).[20]
Popular culture
Indonesian Papuan kids in Tarik tambang (lit.'Indonesian rope pulling') competition, taking place during the celebrations of the Indonesian Independence Day.
Indonesian Papuans have gained increasing recognition in popular culture (nationwide in Indonesia and internationally), particularly in the movie and music industries. In Indonesian cinema, Papuan actors have been cast in leading roles, portraying authentic stories from their communities and highlighting the region's unique cultural identity. In the music scene, Papuan artists have also emerged in mainstream competitions and platforms, showcasing powerful vocals and distinct musical styles rooted in their heritage. This growing representation reflects a broader movement toward inclusion and appreciation of Papua's contributions to Indonesia's cultural diversity.
↑ Pawley, Andrew; Hammarström, Harald (2018). "The Trans New Guinea family". In Palmer, Bill (ed.). The Languages and Linguistics of the New Guinea Area: A Comprehensive Guide. The World of Linguistics. Vol.4. Berlin: De Gruyter Mouton. pp.21–195. ISBN978-3-11-028642-7.
↑ van Staden, Miriam; Reesink, Ger (2008). "Serial verb constructions in a linguistic area". In Senft, Gunter (ed.). Serial verb constructions in Austronesian and Papuan languages. Pacific Linguistics 594. Canberra: Pacific Linguistics, Research School Of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University. pp.17–54. ISBN978-0-85883-591-7. OCLC271765117.
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