Hundreds of foreign tourists visit Wamena, the capital of Jayawijaya regency in Papua, prior to Independence Day in August every year to witness an annual event known as the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival.

The festival involves ethnic communities in Jayawijaya regency, notably the Dani, the dominant ethnic group in Wamena, besides the Lani and Yali people, who presented their arts and culture as well as traditional activities. In 2012, the festival was held in Wosiala hamlet, Wosilimo village, Usilimo district, Wamena.

The frequent reports on local unrest describing Papua’s apparent insecurity has not deterred foreign tourists from visiting Wamena to watch a festival that can’t be missed. This is not the case with domestic visitors, particularly those living outside Papua, whose attendance at the event was low.

Cheerful war: The Dani ethnic group presents a traditional war dance to enliven the 2012 Baliem Valley Cultural Festival in the fields of Wosilimo village, Usilimo district, Wamena, Jayawijaya, Papua on Aug. 8.
Held for the first time in 1991, the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival reflects the concern of Papuan society about the preservation of Papuan arts, traditions and culture handed down through generations without political orchestration.

This year’s festival featured 40 districts in Jayawijaya with various attractions, such as a war dance, stone burning and a swine race. While observing the daily life of Dani people inhabiting Baliem Valley, tourists also had the opportunity to join contests organized by the festival committee.

The Tourism and Creative Economy Ministry has been supporting the annual Baliem Valley Cultural Festival through its publications and promotion to further popularize this event and draw a lot more domestic and foreign tourists to Wamena.

Say cheese: A Dani man photographs his friends at the cultural festival in Wamena, Papua.
However, the Jayawijaya regency administration and the public of Wamena expect more than publications and promotion. They hope a central government figure, in this case the tourism and creative economy minister, will attend the festival.

Jayawijaya Regent John Wetipo was disappointed because Tourism and Creative Economy Minister Mari Elka Pangestu, who was slated to open the event, failed to show up.

In fact, the Baliem Valley Cultural Festival, already high on the agenda of Papua’s regional attractions, is a major boost for tourism in Papua, especially Wamena.

Togetherness: Youth of the Dani ethnic group perform the Pikalo dance at the 2012 Baliem Valley Cultural Festival.
— Photos by JP/P.J. Leo