Up Close and Personal with Papuans at Banti (Papuan mountains indigenous village)

Last Sunday, my friends and I visited Banti, one of Papuan Mountains indigenous village (there are 3 villages which 7 tribes inhabitants).

Actually we wanted take pictures of "bakar batu" (Stone Burnt Party) but unfortunatley we came at wrong time/ date.

What is "bakar batu"?


The Bakar Batu Party was a ritual traditional Papua that was done as the form of the expression of gratitude for the abundant blessing, the marriage, the great guest reception, but also as the death ceremony. Moreover, this ceremony was also carried out as peace proof after the war happening between-ethnic group.


In accordance with the name, in cooking and processing food for this party, ethnic groups in Papua used the method of burning the stone. Each area and the ethnic group in the Baliem Valley region had the term personally to reconcile words burnt the stone. The Paniai community mentioned it with ‘Gapii‘ or ‘Mogo Gapii‘, the Wamena community mentioned it ‘Kit Oba Isago‘, whereas the Biak community mentioned it with ‘Barapen‘. However apparently Barapen became the most general term to use. Bakar Batu Party also was the site to gather for the resident. In this party will be seen how high is the solidarity and the community's Papua togetherness. The other meaning from this party was as the expression to forgive each other interregional.

Bakar Batu Party procession usually consists of three stages, which is the preparations stage, burns the pig, and eats together.
At the time, respectively the ethnic group handed over the pig. Then in turns the head of the ethnic group bowed the pig. When the pig died at once bow, that was the sign that the agenda will be successful. However when the pig indirectly died, was believed there’s something wrong with the agenda.

If that is the death ceremony, usually several relatives of the sorrowful family brought the pig as the symbol of the condolences. If not, they will bring the parcel-contained tobacco, cigarettes, cooking oil, salt, sugar, coffee, and salted fish. Did not forget, when expressing condolences each must embrace tight and kissing the cheek.

Below are my photos, yes, I only get humanism photos :

Actually they are a bit shy but love to be a model, especially the female teens.


Amole (peace)

A family, as like traditional domestic function, mother has responsibility to take care of pigs, kids and feed the family.

 Female adult Papuan just back from Market wearing their noken (bag usually made from orchid fibre) at their head.

A Papuan boy enjoy his drink (adopted modern drink from Java)

 This cute girl looks happy seing camera, and indeed, she's photogenic and  like to pose. Her grandma work as nurse at SOS Hospital

Papuan female teens.. they love chocolate also (like me :-))

Spending time at bridge

play with their peers. One of Papuan culture is having arguments without get conclusion (for men only).

 me with this warm grandma and her grandchild

 a young man with his arrow (on the way to Banti)

 Watching the bulldozer at river

 Papuan boy smiling with the background of bulldozer from giant mining MNC operating at his area

 One family wasting time near the river. usually female adult Papuan wearing Noken (bag) at her head (the colorful)

 me and the teens

Chief of Tribe (courtesy of my colleague, Eko Prasetyo)

These 3 photos taken at Bakar Batu event is courtesy of my colleague, Julian Magay