Southwest Papua

Southwest Papua

Papua Barat Daya

Southwest Papua (Indonesian: Papua Barat Daya) is the 38th province of Indonesia to be created, and was split off from West Papua on 8 December 2022. Despite being named southwest, it is a misnomer and this province is actually located in the northwest edge of Papua. The province comprises the Greater Sorong area (Indonesian: Sorong Raya) which consists of Sorong City, Sorong Regency, South Sorong Regency, Maybrat Regency, Tambrauw Regency, and Raja Ampat Regency. The Bill (RUU) on the Establishment of the Southwest Papua Province was passed into law (by Act No. 29 of 2022) and therefore it became the 38th province in Indonesia with effect from 8 December 2022.

Southwest Papua is situated on the northwestern side of the region known as the Doberai Peninsula, or the Bird’s Head Peninsula. The province’s westernmost point encompasses the protected region of the Raja Ampat Islands, which boasts a rich variety of marine creatures, including coral reefs, leatherback sea turtle, manta rays, and whale shark. The province of Southwest Papua is centered around its capital, Sorong, which serves as an important hub for the region’s oil and gas industry and a gateway to Papua. With modern port and airport facilities, Sorong is one of the most developed cities in Papua. The province of Southwest Papua is home to various preserved ecosystems, including tropical rainforests and mountains. Tambrauw Regency, in particular, is a popular birdwatching destination and has declared its area as Conservation Regency in order to promote ecotourism.
Geography

Southwest Papua, situated in the western expanse of the Bird’s Head Peninsula, encompasses diverse topographies ranging from coastal regions to mountainous terrain. Along the southern coast of Sorong and South Sorong Regency, mangrove ecosystems thrive, contributing significantly to the region’s biodiversity and ecological resilience. The coastal stretch of South Sorong, in particular, is renowned for hosting one of the largest mangrove and sago forest expanses on Papua Island.

Within this rich ecosystem, a plethora of flora and fauna flourish, serving as vital sources of sustenance for local tribes and offering lucrative export commodities. Noteworthy among these are sago palms, mangrove crabs, and shrimp, which contribute to the region’s economic vitality and cultural heritage. Although smaller in scale, mangrove areas can also be found in Sorong and Raja Ampat.

The western region of Southwest Papua consists of the Raja Ampat Islands, a pristine archipelago comprising notable islands such as Waigeo, Salawati, Misool, and Batanta, among others. Among its many wonders, Raja Ampat boasts unique geological formations, with islands like Wayag Island characterized by karst landscapes featuring steep-walled hills.

Raja Ampat’s extraordinary natural features have earned it global recognition, culminating in its designation as one of UNESCO Global Geopark in Indonesia. The surrounding seas of Raja Ampat are renowned as havens of biodiversity, boasting some of the world’s richest coral reef ecosystems. These waters host an astonishing array of marine life, including over 500 species of coral, 1,400 species of coral reef fish, and 600 species of mollusks. In northern part of Raja Ampat lies the Ayau Islands, distinguished by their atoll formations. Atoll are islands formed by coral reefs that rise from the ocean floor, encircling a central lagoon.


Demographics

Southwest Papua had a population of 591,617 at the 2020 census, while the official estimate as at the middle of 2023 was 617,697, making it the third least populous province in Indonesia, after South Papua and West Papua.

The majority of the population of Southwest Papua are Protestant. According to data Directorate General of Population and Civil Registration, 61.65% of the population is Christian, with 54.5% adhering to Protestantism and 7.16% adhering to Catholicism, Islam is followed by 38.14% of the population, 0.1% adheres to Hinduism and another 0.1% Buddhism.

Southwest Papua has diversity in ethnic groups in the area. Southwest Papua itself is included in the Doberai or Domberai customary territory which consists of 52 ethnic groups. For example the Moi people or Malamoi who are some of the original inhabitants of Sorong City and Sorong Regency, and Maybrat people with various ethnic sub-groups such as the Ayamaru, Aitinyo, Aifat, Karon, and Mare who come from Maybrat and South Sorong Regencies.

A number of notable figures come from the Ayamaru people, including the Indonesian footballers Boaz Solossa and Ricky Kambuaya. The other ethnic groups are the coastal Ma’ya, the ethnicity of the ‘Four Kings’ and the migrants Biak groups (Beser/Betew, Kafdaron, Biak-Karon/Bikar, Usba, Wardo) from Biak Islands and indigenous groups like Matbat and Amber living in the inland of Raja Ampat Islands. Abun, Miyah and Mpur in Tambrauw Regency; Tehit in South Sorong; and Imekko people of Sorong and South Sorong with various sub-ethnics such as Inanwatan, Metemani, Kais, and Kokoda, the majority of whom are Muslims.

The people of Southwest Papua also have a variety of regional languages, Papuan Malay is lingua franca in this area. Based on language map data published by the Language Development and Fostering Agency within the Ministry of Education, Culture, Research, and Technology, there are at least 46 regional languages spoken by the people of Southwest Papua Province.

In Sorong City, there is Yamueti. In Maybrat Regency, there are Ayamaru, Kambran, Maisomara, and Pokoro. In Raja Ampat Regency, there are Ambel language, Batanta, Beser, Beser-Swaimbon, Gebe, Matbat, Matlow, Ma’ya, Ma’ya Legenyan-Kawei, Salafen Matbat, Samate, Selegof, Tepin, and Wardo. In Sorong Regency, there are languages As, Efpan, Esaro, Kalabra, Moi Sigin, Moraid, Palamul, Seget, and Waliam. In South Sorong Regency, there are Awe, Fkour, Imiyan, Kais, Kokoda, Salkma, Tehit, Tehit Dit, Yaben, and Yahadian-Mugim. In Tambrauw Regency, there are Abun, Abun Gii, Abun Ji, Irires, Karon, Mpur, and Mpur Pantai.

Papua Barat Daya - Southwest Papua

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Tourism

Raja Ampat Islands

The Raja Ampat Islands are a series of four adjacent island clusters located in the western part of the Bird’s Head (Vogelkoop) of Papua Island. Administratively, this cluster is mainly under Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua Province (except for two districts which lie within the Sorong Regency). These islands are now a destination for divers who are interested in the underwater scenery. The island group is named after the four kings, who used to rule the islands of Waigeo, Misool, Salawati, and Batanta.


Tambrauw Conservation Regency

The Regent of Tambrauw declared Tambrauw Regency as a Conservation Regency through a Regional Regulation in 2018. Most of Tambrauw’s territory consists of conservation forests, protected forests, and coastal areas with a variety of protected flora and fauna. Indigenous people with their traditional culture play an important role in maintaining the conservation area.

Some protected areas in Tambrauw include North Tambrauw Nature Reserve, South Tambrauw Nature Reserve, Sausapor Beach Nature Reserve, and Jeen Womom Coastal Park. Tambrauw has great ecotourism potential. One of them is as a birdwatching destination. Birds that can be found in Tambrauw include cenderawasih, mambruk, cockatoo, nuri and cassowary. Other fauna in Tambrauw include wallabies, tree kangaroos, cuscuses and leatherback turtles.


Cultural festivals

The Raja Ampat Regency Government has taken proactive steps to preserve and promote this cherished cultural heritage by organizing the Suling Tambur Festival annually since 2017.

Suling tambur is a traditional dance art practiced by the people of Raja Ampat. Central to this performance are two distinct musical instruments: the flute, suling, and the large tifa, tambur. Traditionally, these dances were reserved for special occasions such as weddings and traditional festivities, where groups of performers would come together to entertain and celebrate.

The drum, originally crafted from skins of stingray, magewang, or other shark species, has evolved over time, with modern iterations now utilizing goat or deer skin. Similarly, the flute, an integral component of the ensemble, is traditionally fashioned from bamboo, lending its unique timbre to the musical accompaniment. In recent years, the suling tambur has become a symbol of festivity and cultural pride, extending its presence to larger events beyond traditional gatherings.

Kabupaten & Kota

The province is administratively divided into 5 (five) regencies (kabupaten) and 1 (one) city (kotamadya)