Wamena: Flying Bibles and Naked Converts

By TravelWiseJun 30, 2012 14:59 PMOther
Share:
Wamena: Flying Bibles and Naked Converts
Wamena: Flying Bibles and Naked Converts

Wamena, in the Baliem Valley is one of the only places in the world where people can genuinely claim religion came from the sky, which gives it a fair share of strange peactices like cargo cults. Much like is still occurring in some parts of Brazil and Peru, first contact with the modern world was made by plane and with it came Christianity.

Every October the Bishop of Jayapura arrives at the Wamena Airport with a Bible in his hand to celebrate this event. This is the highlight of the cultural year and like Ascot the locals get dressed up for the event. Wearing everything from James Bond style hand painted sunglasses to little or no clothing. The Bishop, not to be outdone, plucks some tail feathers from a bird to put in his hair to go with the bible.

The only way you are going to get to to experience this is by flying into Wamena by plane. Which means that even to this day religion in Wamena still comes from the sky. As the airlines running the Jayapura to Wamena route are notoriously unreliable and have a poor safety record it’s probably good to have a Bible close to hand.

After the end of the festival people get back into normal clothes,which could mean stripping back to a peanus Gourd. People will be overjoyed if you decide to do the same. However if this doesn’t sound like your thing you can always go and watch one of the best teams in the Indonesian premiership, Wamena Persipura, play at their home stadium.

Apart from the football and the naked religion there are plenty of other things to entertain you in Wamena, like some awesome trekking. Since you’re in Papua you might also consider diving in Raja Ampat, a world away from Wamena and the Baliem Valley, but an amazing experience nevertheless.

Top Articles
Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Not Just a Suitcase: My Personal Checklist for Smart Travelers in 2025

Mar 3, 2025 18:00 PM
Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Practical Eco-Friendly Travel Solutions for Sustainable Tourism

Feb 14, 2025 15:00 PM

Top Tips for Securing Your Luggage and Preventing Loss

Feb 7, 2025 14:00 PM

Your Guide to Hand Luggage and Baggage Rules

Feb 4, 2025 20:00 PM
More News
SAS Airbus A320neo regional jet in flight under cloudy sky

SAS’s New Regional Jets Set to Expand Travel Options Across Scandinavia

Jul 1, 2025 22:46 PM
Bright modern hotel room with two neatly made twin beds and minimalist decor

InterContinental Expands to Brisbane CBD as City Prepares for 2032 Games

Jul 1, 2025 20:29 PM

Iberia Launches Boarding Pass That Updates in Real Time to Keep Travelers Informed

Jul 1, 2025 18:33 PM

Melbourne Adds Flexible Stay Option in Central District

Jul 1, 2025 16:44 PM
Etihad Airways Boeing 787 in special livery mid-flight

Etihad Opens Direct Summer Routes to Six Mediterranean Cities

Jul 1, 2025 10:27 AM
Modern, minimalist hotel bedroom with wooden accents and abstract art

Radisson Expands to Dobra Voda, Opening Access to Southern Montenegro Trails and Shores

Jul 1, 2025 08:31 AM
Person speaking into a megaphone during a public demonstration

Strike at Helsinki Airport to Disrupt Finnair Flights, Thousands to Face Travel Changes

Jun 30, 2025 20:38 PM
Modern hotel room with bed, sofa, and large windows

Berlin Becomes the Newest Dot on Dalata’s European Journey

Jun 30, 2025 18:23 PM
Empty and occupied seats inside a commercial airplane cabin

Transavia Replaces Boeing with New Jet on Mallorca Route

Jun 29, 2025 22:49 PM

European Food Halls Become Essential Travel Destinations

Jun 29, 2025 20:36 PM

Direct Flights Between Copenhagen and Nuuk Resume After Two Decades, Opening New Arctic Travel Opportunities

Jun 28, 2025 21:22 PM
Electric Lumo train moving on railway tracks in the UK

New Slow Travel Trend Offers Different Way to Discover the UK

Jun 28, 2025 19:48 PM
LOT Polish Airlines aircraft preparing to land

LOT Adds Direct Flights Connecting Gdańsk to Istanbul’s Historic Core

Jun 28, 2025 17:35 PM
Multiple trains approach a busy London rail junction under a canopy of signals

Travel Disruption Expected on London Rail Lines 3 July

Jun 28, 2025 15:21 PM
Air Corsica aircraft wing above the clouds during flight

New Direct Flights Between Nice and Florence Open Up Easier Travel Across the Mediterranean

Jun 28, 2025 13:47 PM

Steady Travel Through Wales: T4 Changes Operator in September

Jun 28, 2025 00:34 AM

Montreal, Toronto, Niagara Falls Set for Centrally Located Hotel Openings

Jun 27, 2025 21:28 PM
Air Canada aircraft in flight approaching landing

New Direct Montréal–Edinburgh Flight Opens Summer City-to-City Travel

Jun 27, 2025 19:45 PM
Workers in safety gear repairing railway tracks with heavy equipment

Temporary Closure of Picerno Station Alters Train Routes in Southern Italy

Jun 27, 2025 17:32 PM
Ryanair Boeing 737 aircraft in flight against clear blue sky

Ryanair Unveils New Direct Winter Routes from Gothenburg, Boosting Travel Choices to Southern Europe

Jun 27, 2025 15:29 PM
Cozy hotel room with warm lighting and decorative wall art

New Hotels in Jeddah to Boost Travel Convenience Near King Abdullah Sports City

Jun 27, 2025 13:46 PM
AirAsia aircraft being towed at an airport gate on a cloudy day

Adelaide Gains Direct Flights to Bali, Unlocking Wider Asian Travel Options

Jun 27, 2025 05:33 AM

Travel to South Wales in July disrupted by rail changes

Jun 26, 2025 22:24 PM

New Direct Flights to La Palma Expand UK–Canaries Access

Jun 26, 2025 20:41 PM
Train platforms and GWR trains at London Paddington station

Mobile Signal Returns to Key Train Routes

Jun 26, 2025 18:37 PM
Empty departure board at Helsinki Airport terminal during operational disruption

Finnair Warns of Major Travel Disruptions During July Airport Strikes

Jun 26, 2025 13:25 PM