Kapauku

Oceaniaintensive agriculturalists
Map
expand_more Description

The Kapauku live in the Central Highlands of Irian Jaya, Indonesia. Much of Kapauku territory is above 1,500 meters with three large lakes and diverse vegetation zones. Although they are generally treated as a single cultural group, there are variations in dialect and in social and cultural practice across Kapauku territory. Their language, Ekagi (Ekari), is in the Papuan language family. Their economy is based largely on the cultivation of sweet potato, the raising of pigs and trade. European contact with the Kapauku did not occur until 1938, when a Dutch government post was established at Paniai Lake.

Identifier
Region
  • Oceania
Subregion
  • Melanesia
Subsistence Type
  • intensive agriculturalists
Samples
Countries
  • Indonesia
External Links