The tribes of Indonesia are fascinatin’ y’all. There be so many of ‘em. I wanna talk a bit about the Lani people today, from the Western side of West Papua. They are not often seen by touristy folks ‘cause of their location, but special tours can be arranged to trek to their homesteads which are bigger than those of the other Baliem Valley tribes.
Like the Dani and Yali, the Lani tribe also enjoyin’ a staple diet of sweet taters which they grow ‘emselves. They be a farmin’ tribe y’all, and they have learnt all about waterin’ their crops through modern irrigation. They also grow other food like beans ‘n taro.
There be a lotta similarities between the Lani with their Dani ‘n Yali ‘cousins’. In all these tribes, the women be doin’ the heavy liftin’. They carry anythin’ from food to their children in nets on their backs. Carryin’ kids on your mama’s back be somethin’ popular with some tribes in Africa too. The tribes’ women also all be wearin’ them short grass skirts. Like the first two tribes I’ve written about, pigs are also a big deal for the Lani. The tribal women may even be found sucklin’ them.
The Lani is the first tribe I’ve read about that likes t’ use Birds of Paradise feathers to decorate their bodies. Guess it is a good thang they be livin’ in the province where the bird be found, right?
Before the darn Coronavirus plague shut the whole world down from travelin’, tourists could book a spot to attend the Baliem Valley Festival which happens every year-round the beginnin’ of August, to tie hands with Independence Day (Indonesia’s not the US…). Many of these folks be keen photographers, others just be war re-enactment enthusiasts. Some be both. Doesn’t matter what camp you be in – bein’ able to immerse yourself in a culture-rich event and enjoy a local feast afterward has me yellin’ Yes Puleaze!
The warriors that take part in the mock battles be trainin’ for a long while y’all. They enter the arena dressed in their traditional war gear. The pretend wars take place over two days, with some battles takin’ a good couple o’ hours, but as the time passes, the excitement increases. It is somethin’ not to be missed, so I’m a definitely puttin’ it on my West Papua bucket list.
Durin’ these battles, there is musical accompaniment on a traditional Papuan instrument called the pikon. It be a wood instrument that is blown on, kinda like the Aboriginal digeridoo, only way smaller. I found this cool article about other traditional West Papuan music making instruments. Man, this area is one that just keeps on givin!
There be a lot to see ‘n do after attendin’ the festival, but let’s be leavin’ that for another time.
Til next week, stay safe!
Author: JS
Travel Vlogger, Journalist,
