Papua

The Heated Stones Custom (Wor Barapen)

This is a custom for young men and women ( Kebor Insos) after they have undergone initiation. Hundreds of stones are gathered together and baked in a smouldering fire. Then the glowing coals are moved to make a flat bed; a spiritual leader with magic powers prepares himself by smearing his feet with batel juice while reciting a mantra. From this point he makes a demonstration of walking on the red hot coals bare foot. This custom still takes place in Biak Numfor Regency but is only followed by particular clans.

 

Traditional Wedding Festivals Of The Biak People

The Biak tribes say ‘ Munara Yakyaker Purbakbuk’: ‘Yakyaker’ is the custom of leading the bride to the house of the groom. This is the highspot of the wedding festival (‘Munara Purbakbuk’). It lasts for 7 days and nights; the bride and groom are guarded in their respective family homes until the bride is led to groom’s family home in a dance procession, singing songs (‘Wor’). Having finally reached the groom’s family home the wedding is validated.

Etai (Traditional Dances)

These traditional dances from the Balliem Valley are performed by the local people. If you want to see them let your guide know and the dances can be arranged. The dances are held in Dukum which is 10 km from Wamena and can be reached by motor vehicle or on foot.  

 

The Pig Feast

One of the most interesting parts of Dani way of life that still exists until today is the pig feast, a festival that used to be performed in ritual and sacred ceremony. When on a wedding the Dani celebrate the party by performing the pig feast as the essence. The Dani pig feast may well be the most important ceremoy, relative to its culture, in the world. One’s wealthiness is also counted on how many pigs he owns. Man may get married when he can present pigs to his bride. In earlier life women fed pig babies with their breast-a few stil do today.
The biggest feast is celebrated by an entire alliance once every five years or so. Then, and only then, into the space of two and a half weeks are packed all manner of important rituals: weddings, initiations, the final part of funerals and ceremony which have to do with affirmation of leadership and with warfare. No one really knows or may predict when this mass festival held.
Today, not only at certain ritual ceremony, you can order and attend a pig feast at most Dani villages. Most of local tour operators may arrange a pig feast and perform a traditional dance show on request. Price for a package of pig feast ranges from US$ 300 up to US$ 500 which includes a small or medium size pig, performer and the chief, and a tribal dance.