honai

Nayak Lak!

A warm greeting from the Dani people to all of you.

Baliem Valley (Lembah Baliem) spotted as the most popular destination in Papua, rich with indigenous culture features which offer extraordinary cultural experiences. Baliem valley inhabits by several tribes but grouped together under the same identity called “Dani”. Each of the tribe speaks in different type of language and dialect; not forget to mention that each of the tribe distinguishable by their genuine clothes and way of life.

Once you read or give it a deeper study to Dani’s way of life, don’t be surprise that you may find your eye lifting or forehead wrinkling. Why? Because the Dani is uniquely amazing.

The Dani men and women sleep separately in different honai (Dani’s traditional house). The men sleep grouped in one honai, while the women and children slumber in another honai. As descended from their ancestor, sex is taboo for the women after giving birth, for 2 or 5 years; as the result the Dani generated healthier kids since the women focus on babysitting the kids during the most important phase of growth. This situation makes the men vulnerable to polygamy, it’s a true fact of life that the Dani men are allowed to have more than 1 wife or as many as he can afford. A man should give 4-5 pigs to the girl’s parent he wants to marry. For Dani men, his social status are initiated by the number of wives and pigs he has. However, monogamy is getting popular for Dani people as the pressure of missionaries around the valley.

Another remarkable custom of Dani is that women will amputate their finger when their relatives die; hence doesn’t be surprise when you see women with missing finger.

To enhance the quality of your experience in Baliem Valley, guide is essential since there are no clear maps or signage initiated for visitor. The guide will help to lead the track, communicate with the local people and in advance, the guide will inform the tourist about local do’s and don’ts.

Getting There

Flying might be the only way to access the Baliem Valley through Wamena. Here are some alternatives on carrier from jayapura to Wamena: (For further info, ask the officers at Sentani Airport Information Center)

• Trigana Air Services provide daily flights into and out of Wamena. Spot the Trigana Air Service Offices at Sentani Airport terminal and Wamena Airport terminal
• MAF
• AMA
• Yajasi
• Manunggal Air
• Hercules carrier provide by Indonesian army (TNI)

To access Baliem Valley, you can rent car or public bus from Wamena.

Where to Stay

For those who are adventurer and cultural observer in heart, stay and mingle with the Baliem Valley people is possible, just make sure your guide booked it before your visit. “Go Show”? Affordable.

If the first alternative is way too extreme, you can stay at hotels at Wamena:

• Wamena Hotel at Jl. Homhom 61
• Srikandi Hotel at Jl. Irian 16
• Pondok Wisata Putri Dani at Jl. Irian 40
• Nayak Hotel at Jl. Gatot Subroto 63
• Hotel Syah Rial Makmur at Jl. Gatot Subroto 45
• Hotel Anggrek at Jalan Ambon 1
• Baliem Pilamo Hotel at Jalan Trikora
• Baliem Valley Resort (3 star resort) – www.baliem-valley-resort.de

Moving Around

Would you mind if we say “ON FOOT”? – Healthy foot and fit body? Absolutely. Through trekking, you can witness traditional ceremonies, traditional markets and the people of Dani.

Dining Guide

There is no restaurant inside the Baliem Valley – a guide could bargain the Dani people to provide simple meals. It’s stoutly advised, that the visitor bring their own meals and snack during the trekking. Meals and snacks can be found in grocery store at Wamena

Souvenir Tips

• Souvenir can be easily found on the valley and buy the crafts directly from the Dani people
• Stone blade is a major favorite for the tourist
• Sekan; rattan bracelate
• Noken ; made from tree’s bark
• Head and arm necklace
• Jogal; grass skirt
• And other head decorations