'Koteka' not a sign of poverty in Irian

'Koteka' not a sign of poverty in Irian

JAKARTA (JP): If you think Irian Jaya's Dani tribespeople who
go around with nothing on but penis sheaths are poor, you are
wrong.

Jayawijaya Regent J.B. Wenas said in Jayawijaya Thursday many
Dani residing in the spectacular Baliem Valley are "millionaires"
who are proud to wear the traditional sheath.

Koteka (penis sheaths) are not a sign of poverty as many
people seem to think, the regent argued.

"Many Dani have millions of rupiah deposited at government-
owned banks in Wamena city.

"Anyone who doesn't believe this can go to the banks and see
people in koteka come and deposit their money," the regent was
quoted by Antara as saying.

Wenas acknowledged that until a few years ago, the Dani people
did not know how to manage money and they would stash their money
in their homes.

"They are already smart enough to know that the red Rp 100
bank note is worthless here," he said.

According to Wenas, many of the Dani are so rich they own vans
which they lease out to serve commercial inter-village routes in
the area, which is very well-known among foreign nature lovers.

To protect indigenous tribespeople, the Jayawijaya government
has reserved jobs such as pedicab drivers for local people.

The breakthrough policy has made a lot of Dani learn how to
make money, such as running kiosks.

As for the koteka, the regent said the natives are proud to
wear them and are unlikely to discard them. (pan)