Sculptured model of a smoked Papua Mummie, papier mâché, 20th Century

Burial practices in New Guinea, as elsewhere in the world, differ across cultures. In some traditions, the way a body is treated after death is believed to directly impact the soul's journey.In Irian Jaya (the Indonesian region of Papua New Guinea), five tribes have a unique tradition of mummification: the Mek tribe of the Bintang Mountains, the Dani tribe from the Baliem Valley, the Moni tribe in Intan Jaya, the Yali tribe in Kurima, and the Mee tribe in Dogiyai. Unlike the well-known Egyptian mummies, these mummies are not preserved in coffins or wrapped in bandages, but are instead kept intact, with a distinctive dark coloration.Mummification is reserved for individuals of great importance within these tribes, such as tribal leaders, war commanders, or highly respected figures. The process involves several stages, beginning with the selection of tribe members to handle the mummification. Firewood is gathered, and a traditional Papuan house known as a honai is prepared for the ceremony. The body is then smoked over a fire, a method that helps preserve it.After smoking, a series of rituals are performed, during which the mummy is adorned with feathers, pig tusks, and a traditional gourd worn as a covering. The process concludes with a stone-burning feast known as barapen.Papuan mummies are typically positioned in a sitting posture, a reflection of ancient beliefs that associate this stance with the fetal position, symbolizing rebirth. To date, six mummies have been documented in Papua: four from the Dani tribe, one from the Yali tribe, and one from the Moni tribe. Each tribe has specific names for their mummies, such as the Kurulu, Pumo, Araboda, and Jiwika mummies from the Dani people of Wamena.These mummies are regarded as symbols of blessings for the community. The practice of mummification is seen as a way to honor and preserve the memory of esteemed individuals while maintaining cultural traditions.

The papier-mâché model referenced here was sculpted by an unknown Belgian artist in the 1990s for a local museum, serving as a representation of these unique burial practices.