Valley is about 80 km long by 20 km wide and situated at an altitude of about 1.600 to 1.700 m, with a population of about 100,000 people.
Baliem Valley and the discovery of the unexpected presence of a large agricultural population was discovered by zoologist Richard Archbold's third expedition to New Guinea in 1938. On June 21, an Air Reconnaissance flight south of Hollandia (now Jayapura) expedition found what is called 'Grand Valley'. Gradually the valley since then it has been opened for tourism is limited to the Baliem Valley Festival.
Baliem Valley Festival
This amazing festival and has become a visitor attraction in Papua. Baliem Valley Festival was originally the event of war between the Dani, Lani, and Yali tribe as a symbol of fertility and prosperity. A festival is a site of power struggle between the tribe and has been going on for generations but it certainly is safe for you to enjoy.
Baliem Valley Festival lasts for three days and held each August to coincide with the celebration of the independence of the Republic of Indonesia month.
Initially was first held in 1989. What is special about this festival begins with a scenario such as the abduction of a trigger wars, ethnic infanticide, or invasion of the newly opened fields. The existence of these triggers cause other tribes must take revenge, so the raid was conducted.
This attraction does not make revenge or hostility as the theme but it is significantly positive Yogotak Motog Hubuluk Hanoro which means hope for tomorrow must be better than today.
Ethnic tribes in Papua despite undergoing modernization but still adhere to their customs and traditions. One of the most prominent is the Dani tribe of men's clothing who only wore pubic coverings called koteka.
Koteka leather water flask is dried and equipped with a head covering made of feathers or a cassowary paradise, while the women wear skirts Dani made of grass or fern fiber called sorry for. When carrying pork or sweet potato crops, the women took a purse strap or noken tied to their head.
Dani tribe accustomed to war to defend their village or to take revenge for the tribal members who were killed. Anthropologists explain that the "war Dani" is more of a look of grandeur and elegance to the decor than the war clothes to kill the enemy.
Dani war for more displays of competence and enthusiasm rather than a desire to kill. The weapon used was measuring 4.5 meters long spear, bow, and arrows. Often, because of the war wounded than killed, wounded and quickly taken out of the arena of war. Now, the tribal wars in the Dani is held every year in Wamena Baliem Festival Hill during August (see Calendar of Events). In this party, which became the top event is the battle between the Dani, Yali and Lani best when they send soldiers to the battlefield wearing regalia at their best. The festival is celebrated with the Feast of the cooked pig in the ground along with traditional music and dance of Papua. There are also handmade arts and crafts on display or for sale.
Each tribe has its individual identity and one can see clear differences between them in accordance with their costumes and koteka. Dani men only wear koteka usually small, while the Lani tribe men wearing koteka greater, because their bodies are larger than the average man Dani tribe. Yali tribe while men wear long, slender koteka tied by a belt of rattan and tied at the waist.
By attending the Baliem Valley Festival then you will have the rare opportunity to study and direct contact with the diverse traditions of local tribes are different without having to visit the interior of West Papua is remote and hard. It is estimated the festival was attended by more than 40 tribes complete with traditional clothes and painting their faces.