The history Of Papuan Mummies

Most people in the world interpret’s Egypt with the mummies, because the history of the mummies of Pharaoh in Egypt. However, Papua mummy also has a long history in the life of indigenous people of Papua.

In a research conducted in the late 1980s until the early 1990s, have been found seven mummies ini Jayawijaya Regency and Regency Yahukimo. Seventh mummy is located at:

(a) Kurulu sub-district, north of City of Wamena 3 mummies;

(b) Assologaima sub-district, west of Wamena 3 mummies;

© sub-district Kurima-District Yahokimo, a mummy. This is the only female mummy.

From the seventh mummies, the mummies Werupak Elosak only in the Village and Aikima mummy Wimontok Mabel in the Yiwika Village – Kurulu sub-district – Jayawijaya District has been known that the tourists, both domestic and overseas who visit the Jayawijaya district, because the indigenous communities to open opportunities to the people outside to eyes. But to see the mummies, mummies, and the tourists have to pay.

In addition to honor service during his life, Werupak corpses’s had made mummy , Werupak own request that his preserved corpse.

This is different from the Wimontok Mabel’s mummy. He was a chieftain. Wimontok war continue to have meaning. Because during his life he was head of the tribe of the war strategy experts. Wimontok died due to old age and give testament to his family that his Jasad preserved. In terms of size, the mummy is rather smaller Weropak. However, conditions are still better.

Every five years the ceremony was held for the customary roll neck in a kind of necklace Wimontok. Ceremony, along with cutting pork. And the fat of pigs to be smeared all over the mummy’s body. From necklaces have obtained the approximate age of mummy, which is about 382 years.

The mummy is made with the sacred ritual. Followed by evaporation corpse for three days continuously. After a mummy, further treatment by the men only. Because according to local custom, women touch will make mummify become damaged and cause havoc for the woman and the surrounding environment. Mummies are only placed in a wooden box and stored in pilamo, custom house special men.

Not all the dead bodies or corpses are allowed to be or become mummy. Only that gave any services to the tribes, such as the tribe or commander in the war that allowed indigenous mummify.

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