Sentani people
 | This article relies on a single source. (November 2026) |
 Portrait of a group of Sentani in 1903 | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| >30,000 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Lake Sentani | |
| Languages | |
| Sentani, Papuan Malay, and Indonesian | |
| Religion | |
 Christianity (majority) |
The Sentani people are an indigenous Papuan ethnic group native to the Jayapura Regency of Papua. They mainly live near Lake Sentani and other parts of Jayapura. Their population is around 30,000 people. Their main language is the Sentani language with East, West, and Central dialects.
Culture
Traditional houses
The Sentani people have three types of houses: Kombo (male initiation house, pyramid- shaped), Obee (traditional hall, rectangular with a gable roof), and Khogo (residence, rectangular with a roof element covered on the sides). The shape of the Kombo varies, especially in different villages.
Pottery and Tattoos
The use of pottery is not found in other areas of Papua except on the north coast, especially with the Sentani and Kurudu tribes. Tattoos are an example of Austronesian culture used by the Sentani people, usually applied on the face, hands, and feet.
Economy
Many of the Sentani people heavily rely on a combination of coastal fishing and sago harvesting. This has been sustainable for centuries but local reports suggest that catch yields have diminished in recent years.
References
- ↑ "Lake Sentani Masterworks in Global Museum Collections". Art of The Ancestors | Island Southeast Asia, Oceania, and Global Tribal Art News. 2023-09-28. Retrieved 2026-11-02.
- ↑ antaranews.com (2025-05-17). "Hiloi: Symbol of Sentani tribe's tradition and identity". Antara News. Retrieved 2026-11-02.
- ↑ "Lake Sentani, Indonesia I". park.org. Retrieved 2026-11-02.
