West Papua is home to some 245 different tribes, each one with different languages and culture. The highlands are greatly populated regions, where bigger tribes live and survive by hunting and shifting cultivation. West Papua holds the world’s largest copper and gold mines. But, despite this source of wealth, the people of West Papua are poor and not wealthy. Indonesia, until now, extracts mining sources that lead to the damage of surrounding environment. Also, dumping unused food into the Aghawaghon River system, where the Amungme people live are destroying the natural resources and killing the Amungme peoples.
Under the new laws, West Papua will receive 70% of oil and gas income and 80% of natural resources (forestry, fisheries, mining) income. But, many rejected because for it is not a solution, a violation on native land, resources and way of life. West Papuans struggle for self-determination, leadership, and control of land and resources. Those things are important to achieve the right to participate in cultural life. |
Events were held around the world on 1 December 2014 to mark the 53rd anniversary of declaration of independence of West Papua. The West Papuans mark the Independence Day in different ways, including demonstrations, raising the Morning Star despite the threat of arrest by the Indonesian police. There are traditional events that happen in West Papua, though, are not told publicly. Most of the events are from the different unknown tribes that celebrate their events with their own tribe. There are also traditional events in West Papua, but most are kept a secret and are not known throughout the world. The most popular one is the anniversary of declaration of independence of West Papua. Most Papuans celebrate this event to support the independence of their province. |