South Papua

Lore & Background

Before European arrival, the wetland region of South Papua was home to indigenous tribes including the Asmat, Marind, and Wambon. The Marind tribe, also known as the Malind, lived along rivers in the Merauke region and were known for headhunting practices. A Catholic mission was also established. During the colonial period, Javanese laborers were brought to cultivate rice fields, contributing to the town's growth.

Reader's Guide

The province is the least populous in Indonesia, with a landscape dominated by lowland swamps and large rivers. Its indigenous cultures, such as the Asmat known for wood carving and boating, and the Marind with their historical headhunting traditions, are central to its identity. The region has been a site of the transmigration program, bringing Javanese migrants to convert swamps into rice paddies. Wasur National Park, a Ramsar wetland, hosts rich biodiversity including agile wallabies, musamus termites, and birds of paradise. The province's name 'South Papua' was chosen over 'Anim Ha' to be inclusive and avoid negative historical connotations.

Did You Know?

• In the 1920s, the Dutch established a concentration camp called Tanah Merah at the headwaters of the Digul River (Boven-Digoel), where Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir were detained.
• Wasur National Park, a Ramsar wetland in the province, hosts agile wallabies, musamus termites, and birds of paradise.