Central Papua

Central Papua

Papua Pegunungan

Central Papua, officially the Central Papua Province (Indonesian: Provinsi Papua Tengah) is an Indonesian province located in the central region of Western New Guinea. It was formally established on 11 November 2022 from the former eight western regencies of the province of Papua. It covers an area of 61,072.91 km2 and had an officially estimated population of 1,452,810 in mid 2023.

It is bordered by the Indonesian provinces of West Papua to the west, the province of Papua to the north and northeast, by Highland Papua to the east, and by South Papua to the southeast. The administrative capital is located in Wanggar District in Nabire Regency, although Timika (in Mimika Regency) is a larger town.

Geography

Central Papua is bordered by the Indonesian provinces of West Papua to the west, the province of Papua and Cenderawasih Bay to the north and northeast, by Highland Papua to the east. and by South Papua and Arafura Sea to the south and southeast.

Central Papua can be split into three main areas: the Cenderawasih Bay region in the north, which consists of lowlands and coastal areas and is where the provincial capital in Nabire Regency is located; the New Guinea Highlands in the middle; and the lowlands and coast in the south, which is where Mimika Regency is situated.

The New Guinea Highlands, also known as the Jayawijaya Mountains or Sudirman Range, run through the center of Papua Island, stretching from Central Papua to Papua New Guinea. These mountains boast several peaks rising over 4,000 meters above sea level. Puncak Jaya, the highest peak in Indonesia and Oceania, stands at over 4,800 meters above sea level and is covered by Carstensz Glacier. These mountains serve as the source of water for major rivers that flow both north and south.

Among the mountains lie numerous valleys, reaching altitudes of over 1,500 meters above sea level, serving as settlements for indigenous tribes, for example the Mee people. Within this region, three sizable lakes known as Paniai Lakes consisting of Lake Paniai, Tigi, and Tage are found. The capitals of Paniai and Deiyai are situated on the shores of these lakes. They serve as vital sources of freshwater fisheries for the local communities. The fertile land in these valleys makes them ideal for agriculture, primarily cultivating sweet potatoes, a staple food.

Additionally, there are endeavors to grow other crops such as the Moanemani variety of coffee in the Kamuu Valley in Dogiyai. Despite their fertility, certain areas are vulnerable to frost due to extremely cold temperatures, leading to crop failure. Tragically, famine disaster ensued, claiming lives, for example in Agandugume and Lambewi in Puncak Regency. The lack of adequate infrastructure and the prevalence of Free Papua Organization terrorist activities pose significant challenges in delivering aid to these affected areas.

The lowland areas of Central Papua have flatter terrains, fostering rapid development and drawing in numerous immigrants, particularly in bustling hubs like Timika, one of the region’s largest cities, and Nabire, the provincial capital. Both Nabire and Mimika are key destinations for transmigration program, along with the establishment of rice fields and oil palm plantations.

Despite being lowland areas, Mimika’s southern region primarily comprises Southern New Guinea lowland rain forests ecoregion, resembling South Papua, alongside mangrove zones inhabited by the Kamoro and Sempan tribes. The Nabire coast is part of the Teluk Cenderawasih National Park, featuring pristine white sandy beaches, islands, and waters teeming with diverse marine life, including whale sharks and vibrant coral reefs.

Papua Tengah - Central Papua

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Demographics and Culture

Nabire is inhabited by coastal tribes belonging to the Saireri customary territory, including Yaur, Wate, Mora [id], Umari, Goa, and Yerisiam as well as the tribes in the mountainous areas that are included in the Mee Pago customary territory, namely Mee and Auye (Napan). Located in central part of the province is region around Paniai Lakes inhabited by, other than the aforementioned, Moni and Wolani. Meanwhile, to the east lie the Jayawijaya Mountains, which are inhabited by Amungme, Damalme, Wano [id], alongside Dani, Lani, and Nduga (Dauwa) which can also be found in the neighbouring province of Highland Papua. While the southern part of Central Papua is Mimika Regency in the form of swamp land and is inhabited by Mimika (Kamoro) [id] and Sempan [id].

Central Papua have diverse cultural practices because of their adaption to local geography. For example, Saireri region in coastal Nabire have different culture compared to mountain groups of Mee Pago in Paniai Lakes and surrounding area. Some of these cultures become part of Intangible cultural heritage conserved by Ministry of Education and Culture.

Koteka is a traditional male genital covering worn by various inland tribes in the mountainous regions of Central Papua, including the Amungme, Damal, Mee, Moni, and Wano tribes. It is crafted from a calabash (Lagenaria siceraria), hollowed out and scorched. During the New Order era, the government initiated Operation Koteka to phase out the use of koteka and encourage the adoption of modern clothing. This included a strategy of air-dropping tens of tons of clothing into the interior regions. While the everyday use of koteka has gradually declined, they are still preserved and worn on special occasions or for tourism purposes.

The art of wood carving thrives among tribes residing along the southern coast of Papua, notably the Asmat people in South Papua and the Kamoro tribe in Mimika, situated on the southern coast of Central Papua. While Asmat carving enjoys global recognition, Kamoro carving art, also known as “maramowe,” is relatively lesser known.

Efforts are underway to promote Kamoro carving and facilitate wider market access for its artisans. This intricate art form encompasses various creations such as “yamate” (shields), “wemawe” (human statues), and “mbitoro” (ancestral poles). Mbitoro, crafted from mangrove wood and adorned with intricate carvings of human figures, bears resemblance to the Bisj poles crafted by the Asmat tribe. These mbitoro poles are often prominently displayed in front of Karapau traditional houses, serving as significant cultural symbols.

Tourism

There are multiple tourist destination in Central Papua for example Teluk Cenderawasih National Park, Lorentz National Park, Jayawijaya Mountains, Paniai Lakes, and various traditional villages.

Teluk Cenderawasih National Park is a marine National Park situated on the border of West Papua and Central Papua, specifically in Nabire. It stands as a tourist destination with abundant natural treasures, characterized by azure seas adorned with pristine white sandy islands and coral reefs teeming with diverse marine life. In addition to its scenic beauty, visitors can also experience thrilling dives alongside whale sharks (Rhincodon typus), a majestic species found in Kwatisore.

Lorentz National Park is a sprawling protected area located at the confluence of three provinces: Highland Papua, Central Papua, and South Papua. Encompassing an expansive 2.5 million hectares, it stands as the largest national park in Southeast Asia and holds the title of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Renowned for its diverse ecosystems, Lorentz National Park spans from snow-capped mountains to lush tropical rainforests and extensive swamp areas, providing habitat for numerous endemic species. Established in 1997, the park is currently overseen by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry. Among its inhabitants are several indigenous tribes, including the Amungme tribe in the highlands and the Kamoro tribe in the lowlands.

The Jayawijaya Mountains stand as a towering mountain range in Papua, housing the highest peak in Indonesia and Oceania. This pinnacle, known as Puncak Jaya, Cartensz Pyramid, or Nemangkawi, reaches a staggering height of 4,884 meters. As Oceania’s highest mountain, Puncak Jaya holds a coveted place among the Seven Summits, a list of the highest peaks on each continent as recognized by legendary climber Reinhold Messner. Conquering these seven summits is a dream pursued by mountaineers worldwide. Puncak Jaya’s majestic summit is adorned with icecap, although this precious feature is under threat from the impacts of climate change.

Kabupaten & Kota

The province is administratively divided into 8 (eight) regencies (kabupaten)