Located in the Indonesian region of West Papua, Baliem Valley is inhabited by the Dani ethnic group. Their houses are typical circular huts, with a small and narrow entrance; there is always a fire lit in the center, and the air is unbreathable. The eldest Dani people show up with their classic and showy penis sheath (Horim), which is supported by a rope tied at the waist. On their neck, they wear pendants (wild pig teeth) and, on their head, few decorative elements (floral arrangements or bird feathers). Some women wear the typical natural fiber mesh on their heads (which is used to carry objects, food and/or babies).
If they were in mourning, men used to paint their bodies with clay, and did not wash themselves until the clay was naturally disappeared, while women used to cut their phalanxes off their fingers.
Baliem Valley is certainly the most-tourist oriented area of Papua. Wamena, the main center of the valley, is a good starting point for trekking in the close tribal villages, or to organize hikes in the mountains that haven’t been touched by mass tourism yet. These excursions can include simple daily walks with return to the town, or a walking tour with porters up to 11 days.
