Muyu, North in Indonesia

Introduction / History

There are several thousand North Muyu mother tongue speakers. They reside within the province of Papua, Indonesia. The North Muyu folks live by hunting, planting and gathering in the forest. They plant both trees (for long-term crops) and seasonal crops. Walking or using a 4WD vehicle makes it possible to reach the villages in the area. It is also possible to use a motorcycle from Waropko or Mindiptana.

The main food staple is sago. Sago worms, hunted game, and fish from the rivers supplement the sago diet of the North Muyu people. Drinking water is drawn from wells or the river, and some rainwater is also used for drinking. The North Muyu people regularly use Machetes, steel axes, bows and arrows, spears and sago tools. Medical help is available only in the far-off district capital. Malaria, tuberculosis, and skin diseases are common in the area.

There is an SSB radio in Waropko, but no electric service at all. The people refer to themselves as Muyu people. Although Indonesian is the language of school, the North Muyu language is usually spoken during break-times among North Muyu children. There are elementary schools in the area, but teachers are often not there. There is a junior high school in Waropko. There has not been a translation or language program among the North Muyu people. The number of Christians within this language group is unknown.

Text Source:   Anonymous