Papuan

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Papuan

people

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July 1, 2026

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The term "Papuan" primarily refers to the indigenous peoples of New Guinea and surrounding islands, who are generally classified as Melanesians. These populations settled the region at least 40,000 years ago and are distinct from Austronesian peoples who arrived later.123

Papuan languages form a diverse group, comprising about 800 distinct languages that do not belong to a single language family. These languages are spoken by approximately three to four million individuals, with many languages having a small number of speakers, leading to widespread multilingualism.4

The people of Papua New Guinea, largely Melanesian, face challenges in governing their diverse societies as a single nation. The country has a high population growth rate and a relatively low life expectancy, with rapid growth straining resources and exacerbating issues like poverty and crime.15

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inheritance
Inheritance and individual ownership of property
Among the Papua of New Guinea and the Damara (Bergdama) of Namibia, the hut of the dead man was abandoned or burned down so as to ban the magic of the disease of which the owner had died. Among the Herero of southwest Africa, the dead man’s…
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Among the Papua of New Guinea and the Damara (Bergdama) of Namibia, the hut of the dead man was abandoned or burned down so as to ban the magic of the disease of which the owner had died. Among the Herero of southwest Africa, the dead man’s…
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Kai Islands
The inhabitants are of Papuan ancestry who have intermarried considerably with peoples of Malay origin. Because of missionary work, they are now predominantly Christian, but there are many Muslims. The society is communal in organization, untilled land being owned by the village and cultivated ground by the individual as…
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The inhabitants are of Papuan ancestry who have intermarried considerably with peoples of Malay origin. Because of missionary work, they are now predominantly Christian, but there are many Muslims. The society is communal in organization, untilled land being owned by the village and cultivated ground by the individual as…
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Melanesian culture
Traditional Melanesia
…two cultural traditions and populations: Papuans and Austronesians. The earliest, or Papuan, tradition is ancient. Papuans occupied the Sahul continent (now partly submerged) at least 40,000 years ago. As hunting and gathering peoples whose ways of life were adapted to the tropical rainforest, they occupied the equatorial zone of the…
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…two cultural traditions and populations: Papuans and Austronesians. The earliest, or Papuan, tradition is ancient. Papuans occupied the Sahul continent (now partly submerged) at least 40,000 years ago. As hunting and gathering peoples whose ways of life were adapted to the tropical rainforest, they occupied the equatorial zone of the…
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Misool Island
…island is sparsely populated by Papuans, some of whom engage in seminomadic hunting and gathering. Some also produce sago and fish, which are exported to the Inanwatan and Taminabuan ports of the mainland of West Papua. The chief settlements are Adua, on the western tip of the island, and Lelintah,…
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…island is sparsely populated by Papuans, some of whom engage in seminomadic hunting and gathering. Some also produce sago and fish, which are exported to the Inanwatan and Taminabuan ports of the mainland of West Papua. The chief settlements are Adua, on the western tip of the island, and Lelintah,…
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mask
Social and religious uses
The Papuans of New Guinea build mammoth masks called hevehe, attaining 20 feet (6 metres) in height. They are constructed of a palm wood armature covered in bark cloth; geometric designs are stitched on with painted cane strips. These fantastic human-animal masks are given a frightening…
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The Papuans of New Guinea build mammoth masks called hevehe, attaining 20 feet (6 metres) in height. They are constructed of a palm wood armature covered in bark cloth; geometric designs are stitched on with painted cane strips. These fantastic human-animal masks are given a frightening…
Read More