Folklore From Papua

The following is a collection of Indonesian folklore, folktales, fairy tales, and legends that exist among the people of Papua Province.

Papua Province has its capital in the city of Jayapura, located on the central part of Papua Island, bordering West Papua Province and the state of Papua New Guinea.

Stories are collected from various sources (see references). If there is a new story, it will be added soon. Hope it will be useful.

Kredit foto: Standel, Creative Common, wikimedia

2. The Legend of the Sacred Stone

According to Papuan folklore, there is a sacred stone on Mount Kamboi Rama, Yapen Islands, Papua Province. On top of Mount Kamboi Rama, there are two small villages called Kamboi Rama Village and Aroempi Village. Kamboi Rama Village is inhabited by humans while Aroempi Village is filled with sago plants belonging to the landlord with the title Iriwonawani. From this village the origin of the sacred stone legend.

1. Towjatuwa and the Magical Crocodile

Once upon a time there lived a husband and wife in Sawjatami Village, Jayapura, Papua. The husband was named Towjatuwa. At that time, Towjatuwa's wife was pregnant but had difficulties in delivering her baby. One time the wife was shivering because she was bleeding, but the baby in her womb did not come out. Panicked, Towjatuwa rushed to a shaman grandmother in her village for help.