Walak Ab | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| Around 30,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Indonesia (Highland Papua) | |
| Languages | |
| Walak,Indonesian |
TheWalak people (Walak:Walak Ab) are anethnic group living in theCentral Highlands,Baliem Valley,Indonesia, specifically in the valleys of Kobagma, Ilugwa, Eragayam inCentral Mamberamo Regency and Wolo inJayawijaya Regency along theMamberamo River, between Mamberamo, Jayawijaya, andYalimo Regencies.[1][2]
The word "Walak" comes fromWanlak orWanelak in theWalak language, meaning "I go to take" or "I am taking". It can also serve as an expression of greetings or thanks.[2][3]
The Walak people have three sub-tribes:
Their traditional territory is divided into six regions:[4]
Walak people generally have three names. The first is not given immediately at birth: boys are calledpaite and girlsnona. The first name is usually given during a small family meal. This name may change, for example after a relative’s death. When entering school, a "school name" may be given. The second is thealuak (lit. 'head') or clan name, inherited from the father.Aluak is divided into two moieties without names:Gombo andYikwa belong to the first moiety, whileTogodli,Karoba, andUaga belong to the second. These moieties practiceexogamy, requiring marriage across moieties. Women retain theiraluak name after marriage. These two names are the ones used in official documents such as ID cards.[3]
The third is a "nickname" derived from the femininealuak of the mother (for women) or masculinealuak of the mother (for men). Adults are called by this nickname, while children are called by their first names:kodlak (girl) andabedlak (boy), or by family relationship terms such as older sibling, younger sibling, etc.[3]
| Aluak | Gombo | Karoba | Togodli |
|---|---|---|---|
| Masculine | Gomenak | Karobanak | Tabenak |
| Feminine | Gomboge | Karobage | Tabuni |
Walak society recognizes three age categories: children (kodlak = girls,abedlak = boys), adults (kwe = women,ab = men), and elders (kwe angok = grandmother,ab angok = grandfather). The tribal leader (ab angok) is the most respected individual, leading onealuak orumbu clan. Blood relations are not guaranteed within analuak; those descended from a common ancestor are calledumbu. Villages have a head, secretary, and several tribal leaders receiving government salaries, elected by villagers. There is also adao kepala inombaye, chosen to manage food distribution in stone-burning ceremonies.[3] The Walak people are organized in theIkatan Keluarga Suku Walak (IKSWAL).
Adult men wear traditionalkoteka (penis sheath) calledhebe orkebe, carrying 3–4 metres (9.8–13.1 ft) wooden spears. Women wear grass skirts calledsali orwah.[5] Headgear uses animal feathers: red for men, and white for women. Body paint is brown and black, with black from coconut oil and charcoal, and brown from clay.[6]
Related Walak households gather into units calledlokasi, housing one or several nuclear families. Men'shonai houses arebelamu, usually at the opposite end of the entrance. Women's houses areuma, and the cooking house iskonela. Units may include pig pens and small gardens. Sleeping arrangements are flexible; men may sleep upstairs and women downstairs if necessary.[3]
A dance performed by twenty-four people, twelve men and twelver women, forming a circle. One or two participants act as war commanders protecting the group. Music uses thegoknggaik [id] instrument, and often features the songWasioayamari ("Let Us Unite").[6]
The dance recounts Papuan ancestors believed to have migrated fromYunnan, viaTaiwan,Philippines,Papua New Guinea, and east to Ifala Island, then to Genyem, spreading across Papua.[6]
