Kapau, Kukukuku in Papua New Guinea

Introduction / History

The Kukukuku tribe is divided up into 12 clans. Five of these are major and seven minor clans. Another minor tribe existed among them called the Angaatias. All these clans and tribes existed in the territory of the Kukukukus and the territory covers three provinces of Papua New Guinea.

The five major clans have the largest populations covering two provinces and divided as the Kaintiba Kukukukus, the Nanima Kukukukus, the Central Aseki Kukukukus, the Kariba-Divea Kukukukus and the Kapau River kukukukus with its extended territory of Watut River Kukukukus. These clans all originated from the Kapo area of Menyamya which the Kukukukus believe was the original location for the creation of the human race. From there they all moved out to occupy the entire world. The Kapau Rivers were the strongest of the Kukukukus and has defended the land and annex large land mass in the 1800s.

Where Are they Located?

The Kapau River Kukukukus covers the Kariba- Divea Kukukukus, the Watut River Kukukukus and the two historical mining towns of Wau and Bulolo. It shares land boundary with the Katumanis, Kaiwas, Biarus, Sambios and Malarenang in the North east, The Aseki Kukukukus in the west and the Angaatias in the south.

What Are Their Lives Like?

The Kapau area has a large tropical mountain rainforest, large land mass and the land is suitable for coffee, food crops, oil palm in the valleys, klinki and hoop pines and has gold deposits discovered recently.

The Kapau area is mountainous and rugged in some parts while other areas have valleys. It has both wet and cold climates. Agricultural farming can be done in both climates and the soil is rich and fertile.

Kapau people were once fierce warriors but today they are humble people.

What Are Their Beliefs?

The Kapau River Kukukukus are Christians and becoming Christians was not difficult because their ancestors believed in a god known in their language as Aakeanga. The Kapaus also believe in hard work. They know they must work to survive. All Kapau River Kukukukus are trained to make gardens and build houses at a very young age - as early as 6 years old.

What Are Their Needs?

The Kapau River Kukukukus has a lot of needs because of isolation. Within the last 40 years of independence the government of Papua New Guinea has done little to nothing to develop this area. The Kapau River Kukukukus are lacking the following services in the area:

1. Education, both formal and informal
2. Health Services
3. Road Network
4. Business Training
5. Literacy Training
6. Health Education

Text Source:   Luther Peter