Dani tribe

Dani are the most popular ethnic group in Papua, living in Baliem Valley. It was the most dreaded head-hunting tribe on the island, which is even more remarkable if we consider that they did not eat their enemies, like the majority of other Papuan tribes did. They are mostly known because of they colorfull decorations. Their fondness for “dressing up” shows most during the time of war. Before each battle they boar tusks in their noses, paint their faces with natural dyes, and make headdresses of paradise birds feathers. Dani men wear long and thin kotekas. Their women – short skirts woven from orchid fibers, decorated with straw, and with indispensable woven bags called “noken” across their backs. In few villages they keep several hundred years old ”smoked” mummies of famous tribesmen.