Jayawijaya Mountains

Jayawijaya Mountains

The Jayawijaya Mountains are the centre part of the Western Central Mountain Range in New Guinea. It is enclosed by the Sudirman Mountains (Snow Mountains) in the west and by the Star Mountains in the east. In the north and south it is enclosed between two giant lowland areas. Some mountains have imaginable names like Mount Goliath (Peak Yamin, 4595 meter), Mount David (4581 meter). The highest peak of Jayawijaya is Mount Trikora (Peak Wilhelmina, in the former Oranje Mountains), with 4730 meter the second largest peak of New Guinea and snow covered. North from this mountain is Lake Habbema, the largest lake in this area. In the centre of the area, east from Mount Trikora, is an important area for the region: the Baliem Valley. It was rather recently discovered (1936) by coincidence by a mail aircraft and appeared to have a self supporting agricultural system of high standard, without having contact with the civilized world. Now many modern western technics are introduced as well as many new vegetables and crops. The Baliem Valley is a wide flat valley at an altitude of 1500 meter. In the valley itself is no primary vegetation left, most of it is cultivated or are small secundary forests and bushes. The most important town is Wamena which is growing fast with all consequences of a civilized city, like polution, noise and busy traffic.

Another disadvantage of the modernization of the Baliem Valley is the decrease of traditional habits and culture. The koteka, the traditional penis covers, and the wear of the males and females, as well as the traditional housing, are disappearing fast in the Baliem Valley. Somewhat further from Wamena they can be found almost unchanged in the mountain villages of the Dani and Yali, the local tribes in the Baliem Valley. In Wamena some souvenir sellers force themselves in overdone and fake "traditional" wear, selling products and souvenirs which they never used or had originally. It is of course all part of the process of civilization, but it is a pity that this is happening.