West Papua (formally Irian Jaya)
Denise Nielsen Tackett & Larry Tackett
Liveaboards Operating in Raja Ampat
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Birds-of-Paradise, tree kangaroos and other marsupials, cassowaries (large flightless birds), cockatoos, magnificent butterflies and bird-eating spiders inhabit the island.
West Papua or Papua Barat, formerly Irian Jaya, is the western half of New Guinea Island. Its inhabitants are Melanesian Papuans. This is one of Indonesia's most remote and least visited regions. It is sparsely populated due to its rugged terrain, which contributed to the 250 distinct languages spoken here. West Papua is one of the last frontiers of tourism. Although New Guinea was first settled about 60,000 years ago, West Papua came under Dutch control and remained there until 1962 when the territory was ceded to Indonesia. Christian missionaries arrived with the Dutch and are still a big presence in West Papua. An active Free Papua Movement continues to push for independence from Indonesia. Gone are the days of fierce warriors and cannibals. Today coastal inhabitants fish, highland residents farm, and many others work in the mining or forestry industries. Sago and sweet potatoes replace rice as the staple food of West Papua. The area is rich in natural resources. The huge Freeport copper and gold mine at 3700m (12000ft) is a joint venture that contributes to the Indonesian economy.
Attractions
Separated from Asia by deep waters, the island of New Guinea was linked to Australia. The flora and fauna of West Papua are distinctly Australasian. Birds-of-Paradise, tree kangaroos and other marsupials, cassowaries (large flightless birds), cockatoos, magnificent butterflies and bird-eating spiders inhabit the island. Orchids, tree ferns, rhododendrons and pitcher plants inhabit the forests. Glacier-covered Puncak Jaya, elevation 5039m (16400ft), is the highest peak between the Himalayas and the Andes. West Papua has only recently been opened to tourism and the industry here is in its infancy. The Baliem Valley in the highlands is home to the Dani tribe, first discovered by westerners in 1938. Pigs and women are indicators of wealth here. Many men continue to wear the traditional penis gourd. The Bird's Head Peninsula is the gateway to the Raja Ampat Islands, home to some of the best scuba diving in the world.
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About the Authors
Larry and Denise Tackett are the authors of all of our Indonesian dive site and regional descriptions. They are professional photographers specializing in underwater and terrestrial natural history and travel subjects. They are represented by stock photo agencies in the US and United Kingdom and their photographs have been widely published in books and magazines worldwide. Their work has appeared in magazines such as National Wildlife, Islands, BBC Wildlife, Ocean Realm, Asian Diver, Unterwasser, Tauchen, Canadian Wildlife, Popular Science, Sport Diver, National Geographic Kids, Geo, and many others.
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