The hidden mountain tribe in Papua where villagers mummified their ancestors with SMOKE and have kept their remains in a nearly perfect state for hundreds of years
By Ashleigh Davis For Daily Mail Australia08:46 EST 14 Aug 2016, updated 16:42 EST 14 Aug 2016
Extraordinary photos have emerged showing a tribe chief holding the perfectly mummified remains of one of his ancestors in a remote Indonesian village.
Dani tribe chief Eli Mabel is pictured holding the remains of Agat Mamete Mabel in the village of Wogi in Wamena in West Papua, an island in the centre of Papua New Guinea.
The indigenous tribe, who live in a remote area of the Papuan central highlands, used to preserve their ancestors by smoking their bodies, which kept them in a near-perfect state for hundreds of years.
Dani tribe chief Eli Mabel is pictured holding the remains of Agat Mamete Mabel in the village of Wogi in Wamena in West Papua, an island in the centre of Papua New Guinea
The indigenous tribe, who live in a remote area of the Papuan central highlands, used to preserve their ancestors by smoking their bodies, which kept them in a near-perfect state for hundreds of years
The smoking mummification is no longer practiced, but the Dani tribes people still preserve a number of mummies as a symbol of their highest respect for their ancestors.
In recent years the Dani tribe has attracted tourists from around the world, with some villages even showing their original customs and holding mock wars.
Every August the Dani hold mock battles with neighbouring tribes – the Lani and Yali peoples – to celebrate the fertility and welfare of the Papua province as well as upholding ancient traditions.
The people of Baliem Valley, the Dani, Lani and Yali tribes, were discovered accidentally by American zoologist and philanthropist Richard Archbold, while on a zoological expedition to New Guinea in 1938.
In the Dani tribe, the men wear distinctive tribal attire, including face paint, feathers, animal bones and intricate penis sheaths named Koteka.
The women wear skirts made from woven orchid fibres decorated with straw and woven bags, worn from the head, named ‘noken’.
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The smoking mummification is no longer practiced, but the Dani tribes people still preserve a number of mummies as a symbol of their highest respect for their ancestors
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The Dani tribe is also notorious for following the custom that if someone dies in the village such as the mummified tribe leader (pictured), then each of his female relatives will have a segment of their finger cut off
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Every August the Dani hold mock battles with neighbouring tribes – the Lani and Yali peoples – to celebrate the fertility and welfare of the Papua province as well as upholding ancient traditions (pictured)
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A Dani tribesman is pictured participating in a mock tribal war in Walesi district in Wamena, Papua Province
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Two Dani tribeswomen are pictured participating in the 27th annual Baliem Valley Festival in Walesi district in Wamena
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The women (pictured) wear skirts made from woven orchid fibres decorated with straw and woven bags, worn from the head, named ‘noken’
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The Dani men (pictured taking part in the annual festival) wear distinctive tribal attire, including face paint, feathers, animal bones and intricate penis sheaths named Koteka
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Dani tribe men perform a mock tribal war in Walesi district in Wamena, Papua Province
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Performances at the 27th Baliem Valley Festival, taking place from August 8 to 10, feature mock battles of highland tribes of Dani, Yali and Lani
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The festival performances symbolise the high spirit and power that have been practised for generations by the tribes
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Two Dani tribal children are pictured taking part in the tribal festival which feature mock battles of the three tribes
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This Dani tribesman participated in the festival performances with a spear and bone-made dagger
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A Dani tribesman plays a ‘pikon’ traditional musical instrument during the 27th annual Baliem festival
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This tribesman is festooned with beads
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A Dani tribeswoman and her child watch a performance at the festival
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In recent years the Dani tribe has attracted tourists from around the world, with some villages even showing their original customs and holding mock wars
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Covered in only ceremonial beads, flowers and headdresses, as well as strategically placed pieces of carved wood, this man takes in the festival’s atmosphere
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This tribeman’s flowers have seen better days but he still seems to enjoy the event
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The keeping of traditions and customs is fundamental to the tribespeople’s way of life
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Indonesian soldiers from the 756th battalion ‘Jayawijaya’ participate in the opening dance of the 27th annual Baliem Valley Festival in Walesi district
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The people of Baliem Valley, the Dani, Lani and Yali tribes, were discovered accidentally by American zoologist and philanthropist Richard Archbold
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Tribesmen and women mingle with the crowds that gathered the watch the event in Walesi district in Wamena, Papua
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American zoologist and philanthropist Richard Archbold, was on a zoological expedition to New Guinea in 1938 when he discovered the tribes
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A group of men show off their traditional dancing as they gather for the 27th annual Baliem Valley Festival
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This year the festival was held on August 8-10 in Wamena, Walesi Sub-district, Jayawijaya District, Papua
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Traditional clothing was worn by those taking part while the men carried weapons including spears and bows
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This aborigine looks like he has seen it all before as he takes part in the mock dance during the festival
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This archer is all ready to go as he lines up to take a shot during the Baliem Valley Festival
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Indonesian soldiers from the 756th battalion ‘Jayawijaya’ participate in the opening dance
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Hundreds of Papuanese people along with tourists watch the 27th annual Baliem Valley Festival
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The event took place under the watchful eye of Indonesian army soldiers who patrolled the fesitval
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