History Of Moekumu - The Salt Spring of Highlands Papua - KijoBega22

A pool of salt water from it spring

There is a salt spring at nearby Moeabu River in Jae Village, Wandai, Intan Jaya Regency, the Province of Central Papua. Moni people called it Moekumu which literally  means Moeabu salt. This is one of the most famous salt source in highlands Papua since ancient time, as a matter of fact, even tribes that very far away around Lapago like Wamena they used to know this place.

Local have legend about this, they said it was goddess snot. But an old tribesman called Lukas Zagani told us a little different story. He said that his ancestor was the one who found this salt spring.

Long, long time ago, when Kemandoga valley was still only few people lived in, his ancestor came from far east to Wandae and stayed there for long enough time. They made garden, cut trees with stone axe, made honai (traditional houses), builded family and lived. By the time some generations passed, there was a gentleman who was going to hunt.

In early morning, he took his bow and arrows, took some sweet potatoes and entered a forest near Jae village. After long day of walked by in the middle of nowhere, he saw from far a lot of birds came in and out at a point only. He was amazed because it was strange view.

He forgot about hunting, he became much more curious about what actually made the birds crowded in one spot only. He walked slowly approach the spot. He fascinating by the view of a lot off animals gathered at a small pool and drank the water. Not only birds, but also some wild animal like cuscus and mouse were there to drink from the spring.

 A hunter found salt spring (Ai Illustration)

“This is not regular water spring, this must be something in it, i must check. “said the man. slowly he walked toward the spring and all the animals were dispersed. Animal’s droppings were scattered everywhere around the spring. He cleaned it, and tested the water, “Wow, it is salt.” He amazed and his heart filled with excitement. No sooner he walked away to his village and spreaded news about his discovery. 

People went together to saw the salt spring and named it Moekumu, for it’s only 20 meters away from Moeabu river. They made a pool and developed some technics to process the salt water into stone salt and string salt which is still popular until today.

After the discovery, the infromation spreaded to other villages and tribes, they come and go, did barter with pig or stone axe. As you know, especially in highlands of Papua, they live very far from sea, that is why Moekumu became their destination for salt source.

Today, Moekumu still become local number one source of cooking spice and also income. It just need some improvement in management development. We hope Moekumu will continue to became developed salt source and income for local.