Dayak Tribe Borneo Island

Baliem Valley Tourism

A. Overview

Baliem valley, located in the Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Province, is one area that has a charm for tourists, both local and foreign. One thing that makes Baliem Valley is famous diselenggarakannya Culture Festival Baliem Valley, or better known by the name Baliem Valley Festival.

Baliem Valley Festival was first held in 1989. Before the existence of this festival, people around the Baliem Valley, which consists of the Dani tribe, Tribal Lani, and Yali tribe, still make war between tribes. For them, than has become a tradition from generation to generation, the war also has significance in that. Event of war is not simply compete with other tribes strength, but also a symbol of fertility and prosperity. According to their beliefs, if not conducted the war, please do not harvest livestock and pigs will be successful.

To avoid the fall of the victim and the revenge that long, since twenty years ago the government put restrictions on inter-ethnic war. To united tradition of tribes in Papua, the government created The Festival Baliem Valley, which includes the party of war in it. Baliem Valley Festival, takes about three days and was held in August. One of the reasons the party was held for the month is a feast to commemorate the independence of the Republic of Indonesia.

On development, not only the third race of the valley are the Baliem Festival Baliem Valley, but also other tribes who lived in the District and around Jayawijaya.In the 2007 there are about 40 tribes who follow this festival. Each tribe is using the traditional dress, complete with paintings in the face. In addition, they also carry weapons of war such as spears, big knife, arrow, and also other war pernak moneychangers.

B. Specialties

In the Valley Festival Baliem, attractions intertribal war began with the determination of scenario triggered the war. Triggers can be a war of abduction, murder of children, and the invasion opened a new field. The existence of this trigger, the other tribes should be `revenge`, so that the raid was conducted. Meanwhile, the opponent will survive, so the battle was in progress with the exclamation.

Uniquely, this attraction does not make war revenge or hostility as the theme. Which carried the theme is the expression of positive values, ie, Yogotak Hubuluk Motog Hanorogo (hope that tomorrow will be better than today).

Attractions intertribal war dance is indeed a major attraction in every organization Baliem Valley Festival. Nevertheless, many other attractions are also very interesting to watch the tourists, such as performance or Pikon traditional musical instrument. Songs played with Pikon this, usually around the life of man. There is also a Karapan Pigs also one of the interesting attractions and often cause the visitor hubbub.

In addition to attractions, attractions in the top, tourists can also watch the race arrow, throw sege (throw a stick to the target that has been specified), puradan (scrolling wheels of plaited rattan game), and sikoko (pawn to throw a game target which has been defined). Race-the race is, in addition, followed by participants from various tribes in the District Jayawiya, can also be followed by the tourists who attend during the festival.

C. Location

Festival held at the Valley Baliem Baliem Valley, Wamena district, Jayawijaya District, Papua Province, Indonesia.

D. Access

To be able to Baliem Valley, the visitor must go through the main airport of Papua Province, Sentani Airport ie. To achieve the Sentani Airport, visitors can access it by using the flight from Jakarta, Surabaya, and Manado. Arriving at Sentani Airport, visitors can travel to the Hercules aircraft type or Twin Otter to Wamena, capital of Jayawijaya District.

E. Ticket Price

To witness this festival, tourists are free of charge.

F. Accommodation and Other Facilities

Around Wamena district, there are some lodging, even among the class is international. This is because many foreign tourists who are interested in witnessing Baliem Valley Festival, and enjoy the beautiful natural valley Baliem own.