 A newly married couple wore traditional attire | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 700–800 (Kayo Pulau)[1] 830 (Kayo Batu)[2] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Papua (Jayapura) | |
| Languages | |
| Kayu Pulau,Papuan Malay, andIndonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Christianity | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Tobati,Enggros [id], Ormu |
Kayu Pulau (also known asKayu Pulo orKayo Pulau) is an ethnic group residing inTahima Soroma [id] (Kayu Pulo and Pulo Kosong),Jayapura,Papua, Indonesia. Meanwhile, people who are culturally and linguistically similar live inKayo Batu [id] are also calledKayu Batu (also known asKayo Batu). They speak the same language, theKayu Pulau–Kayu Batu language.[3] In 2007, only 50 Kayu Pulau people were still able to speak this language.[4]
The Kayu Pulau people are led by the MainOndoafi[a], a position previously held by the late Gaspar Sibi. Meanwhile, the Youwe tribe also has its ownkeondoafian (traditional leadership), led by Nicolas Youwe (grandson ofNicolaas Jouwe). The village head of Tahima is Tomi Sibi,[6] who oversees four sub-tribes (clans), along with theirmata rumah (clan heads) as of 2020.[7]
The Kayu Batu has only two clans: Makanuay and Puy. Over time, these clans further divided into Makanuay I (calledRei in the local language), Makanuay II (Remta), and Puy (C’thargu).[9] TheOndoafi comes from the Makanuay I clan and oversees the chiefs of the Makanuay II and Puy clans. In 2023, theondoafi position was held by Ridolof Ray L. Makanuay. The other two clans are led by:[10]
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 (Jouwe) clan, originating from theCycloop Mountains, came and settled in Pulo Kosong. The Youwe clan's presence in Kayu Pulau stemmed from their house (Karware [id]) being burned by another tribe. This destruction forced the Youwe clan to flee to Kayu Pulau.[11]
Upon the arrival of the Jouwe clan, the Kayu Pulau people held a meeting inpara-para[b]. 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 theSecond 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.[11]
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Beads are valuable items used as jewelry ornaments and as payments in customary sanctions. The colors of the beads are as follows:[9]
