Nggem people

Nggem people

Gem
Total population
4,500 people [1]
Regions with significant populations
Indonesia (Highland Papua)
Languages
Nggem
Related ethnic groups
Dani, Lani, Nduga, Walak, Wano, Yali

The Nggem people (Nggem : Gem) ^[1] are an ethnic group of indigenous origin who inhabit the areas around Kobagma and Kelila in the Central Mamberamo Regency of Highland Papua, Indonesia. Their territory is bordered by the Taborta people to the north, the Lani people to the west, the Walak people to the south, and the Yali people to the east. ^[2]

The Nggem speak the Nggem language.

Etymology

Differences between the gem skirt (left) of the Nggem and the yokal skirt (right) of the Dani people

The name nggem or gem comes from the short grass skirt traditionally worn by women. The Nggem refer to the Dani people using the word yonggal (id) (Dani: yokal), meaning a skirt made from horizontal strips of fiber from the ficus tree that Dani women wear after marriage. In the Lani language, the word nggem also means "thief." ^[2]

Language

The Nggem speak the Nggem language, which forms its own small subgroup within the Baliem Valley languages (Dani group). Villages in the western part of Nggem territory may also speak the Lani language, and as a result the Nggem language shows significant influence from Lani.

According to Etherington’s research, more Nggem people can speak the languages of neighboring groups than the reverse. This is because the Nggem are a small population and their language is considered less prestigious, while other groups often have difficulty distinguishing certain Nggem sounds such as implosives, fricatives, and voiceless palatal fricative consonants. ^[2]

References

1. Oomen, Petra (5 September 2024). "New Zealand to the Nggem tribe: a 30 year journey". Nelson Anglicans Kōrero. Retrieved 20 November 2025.
2. Etherington, Paul A. (2002). Nggem morphology and syntax (MAPL thesis). Charles Darwin University. Retrieved 20 November 2025.