BALIEM VALLEY, IRIAN JAYA

Baliem valley it self is located in Wamena regency in Irian Jaya, Papua adventure which is well known as the home of the Dani tribes.To reach this area, you have to fly from Jakarta or Bali to Jayapura (the capital province of Irian Jaya / Papua), and then fly from Jayapura to Wamena. We can fly from Jakarta to Jayapura and then from Jayapura to Wamena in the same day.

This valley has been the most visited part of the island, especially in recent years. The Dani Tribes speak related Papuan, or non - Austronesian language and live in the high central range of Papua Island, the most eastern province of Indonesia.

Until the last decades the Dani tribes were some of the most isolated populations by swamps and mountains. They grew root crops, raised pig and used polished stone axes and adzes. They didn't make pottery (which means "sign of the modernity"), but otherwise their technology was very much like that of the Neolithic of the Old and New Worlds.

 

 

BALIEM VALLEY FESTIFAL
The baliem festival it self will be held on every august or september. The main pont of interest of the festival will be the massive tribal attraction involving the all natives group living on the surrounding area of the giant valley. All tribes group will deliver their envoy to attend the faestival while bringing all tribes attributes, kotekas, art and craft. The baliem festival is a right chance to observe the rich cutlure of the hinterland. Baliem valley area is mainly occupied by three main big clan, namely Dani, Yali and Lani.

Each tribe group will come over with their own identity. Here you will see clear difference among them refer to their dressing. The Dani man only use small koteka (penis gourd / penis cover), the Lani tribes use bigger Koteka, their body is much bigger than the average Dani tribe, while the Yali has long slender Koteka with rattan belt corved waist lenght.

By attending the masive baliem festival, you will have a great chance to know and learn the culture of each attending tribes without having to make the visit to their compunds deep in the hinterland of West Papua.

Beside to present during the days of the festival, we will also held a trekking trip in Jiwika village in the suburban of Wamena to see the old smoked mummy and salt pool where you will enjoy and see how to make salt in their traditional way. As you will entering the site, you will return to the stone age era. Grass dressed woman, dressless man, just having a long slender penis cup, man with arrows and bows, and with the body ornaments.