Lepki people
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Bridal | |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 302 (2007) | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Indonesia (Highland Papua) | |
| Languages | |
| Lepki | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Yetfa • Kembra • Murkim |
The Lepki people, also known as Bridal, are an ethnic group that mainly lives on the banks of the Sobger River in Bintang Mountain Regency, Highland Papua.
The name "Lepki" is an exonym given to this ethnic group by the Ketengban people. In the Ketengban language, it means "people who live in the lowlands" since they reside along the banks of the Sobger River. Meanwhile, the Lepki people refer to themselves as "Bridal," which is a combination of Bri, meaning "lowlands," and dame, meaning "our language."[1]
The Sobger River is called Armasi in the Yetfa and Lepki, meaning "a river that flows far to the north." The river flows from the Okmay region (Ketengban's territory) to the Mamberamo River. Because they live near the Armasi River, the Lepki people also refer to themselves as the "Armasi people."[2]
Language
According to local legend, Ait Aba Kibitrum (the Supreme Creator) gave the Lepki people the language for communication called the Rani language. Linguists initially did not classify this language, but it was eventually grouped into the Southern Pauwasi language family along with Yetfa-Biksi, Kimki, Kembra, and Murkim.[3]
In the pronunciation of the Rani language, there are two dialects/accents divided between two regions. The first region comprises Luban, Wei, and Yuaban, while the second comprises Aboy, Murme, and Teiraplu. The dialect of the first region predominantly uses the letter [R], whereas the second region predominantly uses the letter [L]. The Lepki people have a distinctive greeting, expressed with the phrase Yelako.[3]
Clans
The clan names of the Lepki people include: Belbora, Bera, Borgertora, Bukdamtora, Dalidam, Dalitora, Deira, Digiseira, Diyapra, Kedapra, Kremtestora, Kromtisra, Kuatnyera, Kwelkwapra, Lora, Lukaipra, Mapkertora, Nukaipra, Nyanyera, Tefra, Timisnyera, Toborgertora, Tuapra, Widibera, and Winma. Most Lepki clan names end with -ra, as ra means 'people'. This naming pattern can also be found among some neighboring tribes of the Lepki, such as the Sumatra and Udamesra clans of the Kosare people, as well as clans from the Kembra people.[1]
Customary land
Melkior N.N. Sitokdana & Nukaipra (2018), in their book, Culture and History of the Lepki Tribe, explain that the Lepki people are located in the northern part of Bintang Mountain Regency. The area inhabited by this tribe is part of the Okmekmin (La Pago) customary land and is bordered by four tribes: Yetfa, Kimki, Ketengban, and Kosadle/Kosare. This area is relatively small compared to the surrounding tribes, covering only about 400 km².[1][2]
Initially, the Lepki people did not live in villages but in small settlements within clan territories. The settlements were based on nearness to natural resources such as sago. Clan territories were usually named after hills, rivers, and other natural resources, such as Askei, Iorger, Itarger, Yalembri, Dali, and Raskilo. After villages were established, such as Teiraplu, which was built near an airstrip, these settlements became centers of trade and communication. However, most of the Lepki people still reside in their clan territories.[1]
The villages built within the Lepki customary territory include:[1]
- Teiraplu, located along the Dakerto River
- Yuaban, located along the Yua River
- Luban, located along the Lau River
- Aboy, located along the Kelnje/Ngeme River
