Unique Tribes of The World: The Yali People

Source: https://hub.maf.org/location/country/indonesia/the-place-we-are-found

The Yali people are a major tribal group in Papua, Indonesia, and live to the east of the Baliem Valley in the Papuan highlands. The Yalis who call themselves ‘Lords of Earth’ are historically renowned for witchcraft and cannibalism. The Yali tribesmen were feared by their enemies because their warcraft. They not only killed and ate their enemies but also grinded their bones to dust and threw it away in the valley. This is to ensure that their enemies never return.

Source: https://johangerrits.com/travel/indonesia/westpapua/yali/45-Yali/

Traditionally the men are only clothed with a penis sheath known as koteka and rattan rings around the waist. Their heads are covered with hair nets, which have a pointed end at the neck. The women only wear a skirt made of reed. However, T-shirts and trousers or skirts and blouses are becoming more common in today’s version of the Yali People.

Source: https://trek-papua.com/our-treks/yali-traditonal-bridges/

Men live in groups known as the "Honai," but women are permitted to live alone. Their houses are round in shape, composed of chopped boards, with pandan leaf roofing. As the mature males among the Yali people are dominantly not taller than 150 cm tall, classifying them as dwarfs, their houses are usually smaller and shorter in height. They are ranked among the pygmy group of dwarf nations and more precisely among pygmy negrits. Drinking water, domestic water consumption, and wastewater are all properly separated.

Source: www.twelfx.com

The Yali people may dress in what many people would consider to be very basic garb. However, to those who understand, they know the Yali People are richer than many of us. They are rich in traditions, which many who live in today’s modern lifestyles think they are lacking. Even so, it's hardly the end of the world. With Twelf-X, we focus on the experiences that shape who we are. The brand and its watches are developed to serve as a reminder that traditions are not exclusive only to the indigenous people, but they are for anyone who wishes to explore.