Kayu Pulau people


Kayu Pulau is an ethnic group residing in, Jayapura, Papua, Indonesia. Meanwhile, people who are culturally and linguistically similar live in are also called Kayu Batu. They speak the same language, the Kayu Pulau–Kayu Batu language. In 2007, only 50 Kayu Pulau people were still able to speak this language.

Traditional leader

Kayu Pulau

The Kayu Pulau people are led by the Main Ondoafi, a position previously held by the late Gaspar Sibi. Meanwhile, the Youwe tribe also has its own keondoafian, led by Nicolas Youwe. The village head of Tahima is Tomi Sibi, who oversees four sub-tribes, along with their mata rumah as of 2020.
  • The Sibi clan, led by Frans Sibi.
  • The Haay clan. The clan symbol is the bamboo shark with a cross, and there is a taboo against eating bamboo sharks or white crabs. Led by Fredik Haay.
  • The Sorro clan, led by Hengky Sorro.
  • The Youwe clan, whose clan symbol is a sea turtle and has a taboo of eating lobster. Led by Silas Youwe.

Kayu Batu

The Kayu Batu has only two clans: Makanuay and Puy. Over time, these clans further divided into Makanuay I, Makanuay II, and Puy. The Ondoafi comes from the Makanuay I clan and oversees the chiefs of the Makanuay II and Puy clans. In 2023, the ondoafi position was held by Ridolof Ray L. Makanuay. The other two clans are led by:
  • Puy clan, led by Nikolaus Puy
  • Makanuay II clan, led by Julius Makanuay

History

The Kayu Pulau people have lived in Tahima Soroma for hundreds of years. The villages comprised the Sibi Rumah Cone, Sibi Rahabeam, Haay, and Sorro clans. Meanwhile, the Youwe clan, originating from the Cycloop Mountains, came and settled in Pulo Kosong. The Youwe clan's presence in Kayu Pulau stemmed from their house being burned by another tribe. This destruction forced the Youwe clan to flee to Kayu Pulau.
Upon the arrival of the Jouwe clan, the Kayu Pulau people held a meeting in para-para. During a meeting, they accepted the Jouwe clan into Kayu Pulau and granted them territories. The Sibi clan occupies the western end, while the Haay clan is in the eastern end. The Youwe clan, consisting of two brothers, received the central area and was tasked with managing the village and serving as guardians of the sea, while the Sorro clan served as messengers. During the Second World War, all village residents were evacuated to Ormu. By 1946, when the war ended, the villagers returned to Kayu Pulau and have inhabited the island again ever since.

Culture

Beads

Beads are valuable items used as jewelry ornaments and as payments in customary sanctions. The colors of the beads are as follows:
  • Sea blue or Stra
  • Milky blue or Sboni
  • Green or Sawo
  • White or Nento
  • Yellow or ''Hasyre''

Notable people