New tribes found in Irian Jaya

New tribes found in Irian Jaya

JAYAPURA, Irian Jaya: Field officers of the provincial social affairs office here have discovered two nomadic tribes living near the Mamberamo River area.

The members of the Vahudate and the Aukedate tribes are tall, have dark skin and curly hair and use a sign language, the office's head for social welfare, Onesimus Y Ramandey, said as quoted by Antara yesterday.

He said the tribes roamed the areas between Waropen Atas subdistrict, Yapen Waropen district and the edge of the Mamberamo River in Jayapura district which borders Nabire, Puncak Jaya and Jayawijaya districts.

A preliminary survey indicates the Vahudate tribe has 20 families and the Aukedate tribe has 33 families, he said.