Wa, wa, wa!

This is the local greeting of the people of Papua from the mountainous regions, where 80 percent of the area is tropical forest. This province is home to many semi-isolated tribes, and its people speak in a variety of languages, including Tobati, Kuimen Sewan, Kauwerawet, and Serki, all classified under the Melanesian language group.

At the Papua Pavilion in TMII, visitors are taken on a journey to Papua through replicas of the Kariwari and Honai houses, representing the richness of the culture. The Kariwari House is a place of worship for the Tobati-Enggros tribe residing on the shores of Lake Sentani in Jayapura Regency. With its octagonal pyramid shape and a conical roof made from sago leaves, the house showcases unique Papua artifacts. Asmat sculptures, poison arrows, semang canoes, shells used as currency, various traditional costumes like the koteka (Papuan penis sheath), and sculptures depicting the ceremony of tattooing on the back of adult boys are all present to introduce Papua’s local cultures in the Kariwari House.

The rooms in Kariwari House also feature Papua’s traditions through mythical and historical items, such as paintings, sculptures, skulls and jaws of Papua’s endemic animals, rattan bracelets, and carved wooden tor used for pounding rice during dances. Not to be missed, there is an artificial lake with a shark statue, an Asmat longboat, and displays of endemic animals like couscous, kangaroos, and four-legged snakes.

In addition to the Kariwari House, the Papua Pavilion also features the Sili building inhabited by the Dani tribe in the Baliem Valley, as well as houses dedicated to men, women, and even animals. The Honai House is used by men, while the Ebey Honai House is used by women. The sleeping area is elevated on posts under the roof, while the ground floor serves as a hearth to warm the inside of the house. Interestingly, not only humans, pigs are also given a special house called Wanay Honai.

DID YOU KNOW?

If you’re lucky, visitors can witness, and even participate in, the creation of Mbis sculptures by Asmat artists who visit the Papua Pavilion at specific times. As a souvenir, a self-made Asmat sculpture can also be taken home.