The Kapauku Traditional Culture

Wissel Lakes

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Wissel Lakes, Indonesian Danau-Danau Wissel, chain of three highland lakes located in the

Sudirman Range of Irian Jaya provinsi (province), Indonesia, western New Guinea. They

comprise Paniai, the largest and northernmost; Tage, to its south; and Tigi, the southernmost.

Situated at an elevation of about 5,750 feet (1,750 m), they were created by tectonic damming of

the Arabu River. The lake shores support one of the densest concentrations of agricultural

population in the New Guinea highlands, mostly the pygmoid Kapauku, a Papuan-speaking

people. Although the area has been populated since prehistoric times, high densities probably

date only from the introduction of the sweet potato in the 16th century. The first European to see

the lakes was a Dutch officer, Lieutenant Wissel, in 1937