View source for Biak

{{Short description|Indonesian island off the northern coast of Papua}}
{{about|the island in Papua, Indonesia|the language spoken there|Biak language}}
{{Infobox islands
| name               = Biak
| native_name        = 
| native_name_link   = 
| image_name         = Fishing boats on Biak.jpg
| image_caption      = Fishing boats lined up at Kota Biak, Indonesia.
| image_map          = Schouten Islands (IN) Topography.png
| image_map_caption  = Biak as one of the [[Biak Islands]]
| location           = [[Melanesia]]; [[Oceania]]
| coordinates        = {{coord|1|0|0|S|136|0|0|E|type:isle_region:ID|display=title,inline}}
| pushpin_map        = Pacific Ocean#Southeast Asia#Indonesia Papua
| archipelago        = [[Biak Archipelago]]
| total_islands      = 
| major_islands      = 
| area_km2           = 2455
| highest_mount      = 
| elevation_m        = 
| country            = [[Indonesia]]
| country_admin_divisions_title = [[Provinces of Indonesia|Province]]
| country_admin_divisions = [[Papua (province)|Papua]]
| country_admin_divisions_title_2 = [[Regencies of Indonesia|Regency]]
| country_admin_divisions_2= [[Biak Numfor Regency|Biak Numfor]]
| country_largest_city = Kota Biak
| country_largest_city_population = 
| population         = 122,166
| population_as_of   = 2020
| density_km2        = 
| ethnic_groups      = 
}}

'''Biak''' is the main [[island]] of [[Biak Archipelago]] located in [[Cenderawasih Bay]] near the northern coast of [[Papua (province)|Papua]], an [[Indonesia]]n province, and is just northwest of [[New Guinea]]. Biak has many [[atoll]]s, [[reef]]s, and [[coral]]s.

The largest population centre is at Kota Biak (Biak City) on the south coast. The rest of the island is thinly populated with small villages.

Biak is part of the [[Biak Islands]] (''Kepulauan Biak''), and is administered by [[Biak Numfor Regency]].

==Geography==
Biak covers an area of {{convert|2,455|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}} The island is {{convert|72|km|mi|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|37|km|mi|abbr=on}} wide at its widest point.<ref>Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Biak Island". Encyclopedia Britannica, 2 May 2012, https://www.britannica.com/place/Biak-Island. Accessed 16 July 2021.</ref> The highest point is approximately 740 meters elevation, located in the northwest of the island.

The island of [[Supiori Island|Supiori]] lies close to the northwest, separated from Biak by a narrow, shallow channel. The smaller [[Padaido Islands]] lie south and southeast of Biak.

Collectively Biak, Supiori, the Padaido Islands, and the island of [[Numfor]] to the southwest are known as the Schouten Islands, also called the Biak Islands or Geelvink Islands. Biak is the largest island in the group, and the most populated. The islands enclose [[Cenderawasih Bay]] on the north. The island of [[Yapen]] lies south of Biak and the Padaido Islands, separated by a broad channel.

The island is administered by [[Biak Numfor Regency]], which also includes Numfor and the Padaido Islands. The administrative center is at Biak City. Supiori was formerly part of Biak Numfor Regency, but was made a [[Supiori Regency|separate regency]] in 2004.

== History ==
Biak was first sighted by Europeans by the Portuguese navigator [[Jorge de Menezes]] in 1526. In his voyage from Malacca to Maluku via northern Borneo, Jorge de Menezes landed at Biak Islands, at the entrance of the Gulf, where he was forced to winter; the island is thenceforth called in Portuguese maps ''Ilha de Dom Jorge'' or ''Ilha onde invernou Dom Jorge'', to become, finally, ''Ilha de S. Jorge''.<ref>{{cite book
  | last = Kratoska
  | first = Paul H.
  | title = South East Asia, Colonial History: Imperialism before 1800, Volume 1 de South East Asia, Colonial History
  | publisher = Taylor & Francis
  | year = 2001
  | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Z9U-FUPS3DkC
  | page = 56 | isbn = 9780415215404}}</ref>

The Spanish navigator [[Álvaro de Saavedra Cerón|Álvaro de Saavedra]] sighted the island on 24 June 1528, when trying to return from [[Tidore]] to [[New Spain]]. Another sighting was later reported in 1545 by Spanish navigator [[Yñigo Ortiz de Retez|Íñigo Ortiz de Retes]] on board of [[galleon]] ''San Juan'' when also attempting the return to [[New Spain]]<ref>Coello, Francisco "Notas sobre los planos de las bahias descubiertas, en el año 1606, en las islas de Espíritu Santo y de Nueva Guinea, que dibujo el capitán don Diego de Prado y Tovar, en igual fecha" ''Boletín de la Sociedad Geográfica de Madrid'', t IV, primer semestre de 1878, p.234.</ref>

The archipelago was first mapped in the Portuguese charts of Gaspar Viegas (c. 1537), an anonymous map of 1540, and on the maps of João de Lisboa and of Bartolomeu Velho (c. 1560), and by other Portuguese, Spanish, and Dutch maps.<ref>Luis Filipe F. R. Thomaz, ''[http://www.persee.fr/web/revues/home/prescript/article/arch_0044-8613_1995_num_49_1_3038?_Prescripts_Search_tabs1=standard& The image of the Archipelago in Portuguese cartography of the 16th and early 17th centuries]'', Persee, 1995, Volume 49 pages: 79–124</ref>

In [[World War II]], a strategic [[airfield]] of the [[Imperial Japanese Army]] was located there, serving as a base for operations in the [[Pacific War|Pacific theatre]]. American forces eventually captured the island during the [[Battle of Biak]]. The captured airfield was renamed [[Mokmer Airfield]] and later transferred{{when|date=May 2014}} to the [[Royal Australian Air Force]]. {{citation needed|date=May 2014}} Biak became the second landing of allied forces after [[Jayapura|Hollandia]]. Many Biak islanders received supplies from allied forces such as clothes and foods.

To restore their rule after the war, the Dutch reopened schools and re-employed graduates from teacher schools in Miei. Some Biak islanders including Frans Kaisieppo, Eduard Rumbrar, Markus Kaisiepo, Marttinus Rumayau, and Lukas Rumkorem were educated in ''Bestuur'' schools. By September 1945, Lukas Rumkorem founded Perserikatan Indonesia Merdeka (PIM), the first political party in Biak which held meetings during September and November in Nusi and from January 1946 in Bosnek. Although Rumkorem's activity would be found out by ''Hoofd Plaatselik Bestuur'' (HPB), no further action would be taken as the HPB went on sick leave until the resident found out. By the middle of 1947, Lukas Rumkorem would be captured by Dutch authority accused of trying to kill [[Frans Kaisiepo]] and Marcus Kaisiepo. [[Jean Victor de Bruijn|De Bruijn]] as district leader of Biak would reorganised and formed regional council ''Kakain Karkara'' on 20 November 1947 to rebuild villages which were destroyed after ''Koreri'' movements against social changes brought by outsiders.<ref name="Materay 2020 pp. 1–18">{{cite journal | last1=Materay | first1=Bernarda | last2=Wabisay | first2= Yan Dirk| title=PERTUMBUHAN NASIONALISME INDONESIA DI KALANGAN ORANG PAPUA 1963--1969 GROWTH OF INDONESIA NATIONALISM AMONG THE PAPUANS 1963--1969 | journal=Masyarakat Indonesia | volume=45 | issue=1 | date=2020-07-01 | issn=2502-5694 | doi=10.14203/jmi.v45i1.883 | pages=1–18 | doi-broken-date=11 July 2025 | url=http://jmi.ipsk.lipi.go.id/index.php/jmiipsk/article/view/883 | access-date=2022-06-25}}</ref>

[[File:Jean Victor de Bruyn, Dutch New Guinea - 1943.jpg|thumb|de Bruijn and his team during Operation Oaktree in Paniai]]
In his administration de Bruijn had a right hand man by the name of Stefanus Yoseph which was formerly under the employ of Japanese and met de Bruijn during his employment in Wissel Lakes (Paniai) during [[Operation Oaktree]], Stefanus Yoseph was entrusted as warden in Biak, during which he stayed with Petero Jandi a [[makassarese people|Makassarese]] working as woodworker in HPB office. According to Stefanus, Petero Jandi was an Indonesian nationalist extremist (with links with [[Pajonga Daeng Ngalle|Polongbangkeng]] group from [[South Sulawesi]]) which was captured and exiled to Biak. When Solait the ''bestuurassistent'' was on holiday in [[Ambon, Maluku|Ambon]], Stefanus was chosen as ''bestuurassistent''. During this time they supported two prisoners, Hermanus Rumere and Ambonese named Watti which led an attack on ammunition depot and Biak prison on 14 March 1948. Another important figure in this rebellion was Hanoch Rumbrar a clerk in HPB office, which became the intermediary between civilians and Petero Jandi's movement in garnering support and campaign from January to 10 March to become part of 'Sukarno's Republic'. They gained some support however some rejected not because they were pro-Dutch but afraid of similar retaliation during Manseren incident (1942-1943). This movement also tried to coordinate with Silas Papare's [[Indonesian Irian Independence Party|PKII]] particularly with Saleh, [[Sam Ratulangi|Ratulangi]]'s exiled assistant in Serui. A week before this rebellion de Bruijn was on official travel. The plan was to attack KNIL garrison in Sorido followed with attack to central radio station and KNIL military post in Boruku field and Mokmer to gain weapons and free prisoners in Serui before invading Manokwari and Sorong. The rebellion did not go to plan and led to shootouts as one of local Biak youth, Terrianus shot Dutch Sergeant Schipper. By Monday, Stefanus Yoseph was captured, followed by Petero Jandi, Hanoch Rumbrar, and others the next day. Around 40 rebels would be captured and brought to Cipinang prison in Jakarta and released in the 1950s. Petero Jandi would receive capital punishment in [[Jayapura|Hollandia]] while others holdouts in jungle, like Petrus Korwa and Hanoch Rumbrar were sent to [[Boven-Digoel concentration camp|Digul]].<ref name="Materay 2020 pp. 1–18">{{cite journal | last1=Materay | first1=Bernarda | last2=Wabisay | first2= Yan Dirk| title=PERTUMBUHAN NASIONALISME INDONESIA DI KALANGAN ORANG PAPUA 1963--1969 GROWTH OF INDONESIA NATIONALISM AMONG THE PAPUANS 1963--1969 | journal=Masyarakat Indonesia | volume=45 | issue=1 | date=2020-07-01 | issn=2502-5694 | doi=10.14203/jmi.v45i1.883 | pages=1–18 | doi-broken-date=11 July 2025 | url=http://jmi.ipsk.lipi.go.id/index.php/jmiipsk/article/view/883 | access-date=2022-06-25}}</ref>

[[File:Lukas Rumkorem.jpg|thumb|Lukas Rumkorem]]
PIM activities would resume after the arrival of Corinus Krey from [[Jayapura|Hollandia]] on 7 August 1949. On 1 October 1949, there would be a meeting in the home of Yenures village leader, David Rumaropen to reorganise PIM and formally reactivated on 5 October 1949 in Bosnik, in the home of Lukas Rumkorem, with him as leader, Corinus Krey as deputy and J. Tarumaselly as advisor and Petrus Warikar as secretary. By 1958, a new movement led by Lukas Rumkorem was formed called Tentara Tjadangan Tjenderawasih (TTT), which according to J. Tarumaselly had branches in other region of Papua. This organisation sent some papuan youths to undergo military training outside Biak which was planned to guide Indonesia infiltration forces. TTT also made contacts with Indonesia Consulate General in Singapore to utilise Chinese-Indonesian as they move more freely with KPM ships other activities include surveillance of potential important locations in Biak by J. Tarumaselly and T. Rumngeur which was sent to Indonesian representatives in Singapore, Ambon, [[Jayapura|Hollandia]], and Serui. TTT activities would be stopped after Dutch authorities found out and captured David Woisiri, Rafael Maselkosu, J. Tarumaselly, Jonathan Saroy, and Frits Werluken member of TTT branch of Serui.<ref name="Materay 2020 pp. 1–18">{{cite journal | last1=Materay | first1=Bernarda | last2=Wabisay | first2= Yan Dirk| title=PERTUMBUHAN NASIONALISME INDONESIA DI KALANGAN ORANG PAPUA 1963--1969 GROWTH OF INDONESIA NATIONALISM AMONG THE PAPUANS 1963--1969 | journal=Masyarakat Indonesia | volume=45 | issue=1 | date=2020-07-01 | issn=2502-5694 | doi=10.14203/jmi.v45i1.883 | pages=1–18 | doi-broken-date=11 July 2025 | url=http://jmi.ipsk.lipi.go.id/index.php/jmiipsk/article/view/883 | access-date=2022-06-25}}</ref>

[[File:De nieuwe Theologische School Hollandia-Binnen geopend, Bestanddeelnr 143-1373.tif|thumb|Ds. F.J.S. Rumainum giving a  sermon]]
It was transferred from Dutch rule, along with half of New Guinea, to Indonesia in the 1960s.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} On 15 August 1962, [[New York Agreement]] was signed, which contained provision for [[Act of Free Choice|Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat]]. From 29 September to 19 October 1962, there was a papuan delegations consisting of 19 members to visit Indonesian regions and meet with Sukarno in Jakarta. Another delegations from papuan regions consisted of 34 people declare their oaths for Indonesia, among these Biak sent 2 delegates, Ds. F.J.S. Rumainum and [[Frans Kaisiepo]]. Another declaration from education employees delegates consisted of 16 people with Biak represented by L. Mandibodibo and N. Urbinas.<ref name="Materay 2020 pp. 1–18">{{cite journal | last1=Materay | first1=Bernarda | last2=Wabisay | first2= Yan Dirk| title=PERTUMBUHAN NASIONALISME INDONESIA DI KALANGAN ORANG PAPUA 1963--1969 GROWTH OF INDONESIA NATIONALISM AMONG THE PAPUANS 1963--1969 | journal=Masyarakat Indonesia | volume=45 | issue=1 | date=2020-07-01 | issn=2502-5694 | doi=10.14203/jmi.v45i1.883 | pages=1–18 | doi-broken-date=11 July 2025 | url=http://jmi.ipsk.lipi.go.id/index.php/jmiipsk/article/view/883 | access-date=2022-06-25}}</ref>

On 1 July 1998, the anniversary of the unsuccessful 1971 Papuan declaration of independence, Biak was the scene of what is commonly known as the '[[Biak massacre|Biak Massacre]]' or 'Bloody Biak'. Members of the ''Organisasi Papua Merdeka'' ([[Free Papua Movement]]), raised '[[Morning Star flag|The Morning Star]]', at Kota Biak water tower and camped there for the next six days.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.asiapac.org.fj/cafepacific/resources/aspac/biak.html |title=Behind The Biak Massacre |first=Andrew |last=Kilvert |work=Asia Pacific Network |date=1998-10-11 |access-date=2007-01-22| archive-url= http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20011218084726/http%3A//www%2Easiapac%2Eorg%2Efj/cafepacific/resources/aspac/biak%2Ehtml| archive-date= December 18, 2001 | url-status= live}}</ref>

At 05:30 on 6 July 1998, the demonstration was fired upon by the ''Tentara Nasional Indonesia'' (TNI or [[Military of Indonesia|Indonesian Military]]). Many were shot while attempting to flee. Survivors were rounded up and forced to the docks where they were kept for several days while further demonstrators were caught.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}

About 200 of the original demonstrators were forcibly loaded onto two Indonesian naval vessels and taken to two different locations to be thrown into the ocean. In the following days, bodies washed up on Biak's shores, or were snarled in fishing nets. The TNI explained that the bodies turning up belonged to victims of the [[Aitape]] [[tsunami]] which occurred approximately {{convert|1,000.|km|abbr=off}} away in [[Papua New Guinea]].<ref>{{ cite web | url = http://www.abc.net.au/rn/perspective/stories/2008/2320160.htm | title = The Biak Massacre | last = Barclay | first = Paul | date = 1 August 2008 | publisher = [[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]] | work = RadioNational: Perspective | access-date = 2012-02-20 }}</ref>

== Demographics ==
[[File:Jonge Papua's bij een graf te Wari op het eiland Biak - Collectie stichting Nationaal Museum van Wereldculturen - TM-60010065.jpg|thumb|Traditional Biak burial on the coast of Wari, North Biak District (1907)]]
The [[Biak people]] are predominantly [[Melanesians]], though speaking predominantly [[Austronesian languages|Austronesian]] languages and the main religion is [[Christianity]].

In Biak and surrounding regions, many titles relating to jobs in Tidore Sultanate administration became used as clan and family names, which include ''Korano'' or ''Kolano'' (ultimately from Javanese ''Klono'' in [[Panji tales|Panji]]), ''Sanadi'' or ''Sangaji'' (district leader), ''Mayor'' which had job to deliver tribute to Tidore. ''Dimara'' (village leader), military leaders such as ''Kapitarau'' (sea captain) and ''Kapisa'' (captain), as well as numerous names with starting element of ''Rum-'' such as Rumbiak, Rumbewas, Rumbekwan, have origin in [[Tidore language]], as ''Rum'' (house) referred to specific area in palace of Tidore.<ref name="Wanggai 2008">{{cite thesis |last=Wanggai |first=Tony V.M. |date=2008 |title=Rekonstruksi Sejarah Islam di Tanah Papua |publisher=UIN Syarif Hidayatullah|url=https://repository.uinjkt.ac.id/dspace/bitstream/123456789/7292/1/Toni%20Victor%20M.%20Wanggai_Rekonstruksi%20Sejarah%20Umat%20Islam%20di%20Tanah%20Papua.pdf|access-date=2022-01-30|language=id}}</ref>

However due to extensive foreign trading relationship Biak and Yapen islands as well as the Yondama bay host a sizeable descendant of foreign traders. This can be seen with these islands has the largest local Chinese-descent population in Papua provinces. They have intermarried with locals for generations and sometimes took on local family name.<ref>{{Cite web|last=by|date=2018-11-27|title=Cerita Cina Papua di Bumi Cenderawasih|url=https://kab-jayawijaya.kpu.go.id/2018/11/27/cerita-cina-papua-di-bumi-cenderawasih/|access-date=2021-02-23|website=KPU Kabupaten Jayawijaya|language=en-US}}</ref> Proof of extensive foreign tradings also include various local traditions involving Chinese porcelains, such as ''Mansorandak'' tradition of stepping on a plate after going back from long voyage.<ref name="Kemdikbud 2017">{{cite web | title=Mansorandak | website=Warisan Budaya Takbenda Kemdikbud | url=https://warisanbudaya.kemdikbud.go.id/?newdetail&detailTetap=592 | language=id | access-date=2022-01-30}}</ref>

The official language is [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]] and the main local language is [[Biak (language)|Biak]]. Other languages such as [[English language|English]] are also used, but limited.  Administratively there are 12 kecamatan, covering only the island itself, having 122,166 people in the 2020 census.<ref>Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021.</ref>

==Climate==
{{Weather box
|width = auto
|location = Biak, Papua
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan high C = 30.0
|Feb high C = 29.2
|Mar high C = 31.0
|Apr high C = 30.2
|May high C = 30.1
|Jun high C = 29.7
|Jul high C = 31.0
|Aug high C = 29.7
|Sep high C = 29.7
|Oct high C = 30.3
|Nov high C = 30.3
|Dec high C = 30.4

|Jan low C = 23.4
|Feb low C = 23.7
|Mar low C = 23.4
|Apr low C = 23.2
|May low C = 23.5
|Jun low C = 23.2
|Jul low C = 23.5
|Aug low C = 22.9
|Sep low C = 22.3
|Oct low C = 23.6
|Nov low C = 23.8
|Dec low C = 23.7

|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 270
|Feb precipitation mm = 246
|Mar precipitation mm = 278
|Apr precipitation mm = 214
|May precipitation mm = 266
|Jun precipitation mm = 216
|Jul precipitation mm = 234
|Aug precipitation mm = 243
|Sep precipitation mm = 209
|Oct precipitation mm = 206
|Nov precipitation mm = 195
|Dec precipitation mm = 239

|Jan precipitation days = 25
|Feb precipitation days = 22
|Mar precipitation days = 20
|Apr precipitation days = 18
|May precipitation days = 21
|Jun precipitation days = 16
|Jul precipitation days = 14
|Aug precipitation days = 19
|Sep precipitation days = 20
|Oct precipitation days = 17
|Nov precipitation days = 12
|Dec precipitation days = 15

| source = World Meteorological Organization<ref name=WMO/>
}}

{{climate chart
| Biak<ref name=WMO>{{cite web
| url = http://worldweather.wmo.int/en/city.html?cityId=652
| title = Biak
| publisher = WMO
| access-date = 30 May 2016}}</ref>
| 23.4 | 30.0 | 270
| 23.7 | 29.2 | 246
| 23.4 | 31.0 | 278
| 23.2 | 30.2 | 214
| 23.5 | 30.1 | 266
| 23.2 | 29.7 | 216
| 23.5 | 31.0 | 234
| 22.9 | 29.7 | 243
| 22.3 | 29.7 | 209
| 23.6 | 30.3 | 206
| 23.8 | 30.3 | 195
| 23.7 | 30.4 | 239
|float=right
|clear=none
|
}}

Biak features a [[tropical rainforest climate]] with nearly identical temperatures throughout the course of the year. The average annual temperature in the city is {{convert|26|C}}, which is also generally the average temperature of each day in Biak. The city sees a good amount of precipitation in every month throughout the course of the year, averaging roughly {{convert|2816|mm|in}} of precipitation per year. Its driest months November, average a little under {{convert|200|mm|in}} of rain per month.

==Economy==

The island is relatively rural and most Papuans on the island subsist off the land, primarily by fishing or gathering.<ref name="BBCAmindoniTan2021">{{cite web|last1=Amindoni|first1=Ayomi|last2=Tan|first2=Yvette|title=The Indonesian island that could host Elon Musk's new SpaceX site|website=BBC News|date=22 Apr 2021|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-56797133|access-date=23 Apr 2021}}</ref> It has large reserves of [[copper]] and [[nickel]].<ref name="BBCAmindoniTan2021"/> 
For generations, most Papuans have inherited "customary claims" to parcels of land that they live off of<ref name="BBCAmindoniTan2021"/> and these property rights are defended by both the property's owner and possibly also the property owner's clan.<ref name="BBCAmindoniTan2021"/>

==Transport==
Biak is served by [[Frans Kaisiepo Airport]], which has flights from all over Indonesia.

Biak lies at [[latitude]] [[1st parallel south|1 degree south]] of the [[equator]] and consequently, any rockets launched from the island would require less fuel to reach [[Earth's orbit]] and enter into a [[geocentric orbit]] than had the same rocket been launched further away from the equator.<ref name="BBCAmindoniTan2021"/> The [[equator]]ial location offers particularly efficient launches to [[List of orbits#Inclination classifications|equatorial]] and [[Near equatorial orbit|near-equatorial orbits]]; facing eastward toward the Pacific Ocean reduces the downrange risks of launch.<ref>{{cite book|author=John J. Klein|title=Space Warfare: Strategy, Principles, and Policy|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0Ldsp_dk0DQC|year=2006|publisher=McGraw Hill Professional|isbn=978-0-415-77001-9|page=85}}</ref> 
{{asof|2006}}, space [[satellite]] launch services had been planned for the new [[National Institute of Aeronautics and Space#Biak Spaceport|Biak Spaceport]].{{update after|2014|5|13}}

== Tradition ==

The Biak Numfor culture revolves around their ancient animist religion, although today they are Christian as well.

Their beliefs revolve around a ritual ceremony called Wor, where they will be plagued by all kinds of bad luck and sickness. The Wor is in all aspect of their life and some of their traditional ceremonies are still being held now. They include the first hair cut ceremony (Wor Kapapnik), the growing up ceremony (Wor Famarmar) and the Wedding ceremony (Wor Yakyaker Farbakbuk). All of these ceremonies are accompanied by singing, dancing and offering to ancestral spirits.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}}

=== Yosim Pancar Dance ===

The Biak Numfor have a friendship dance called ''Yosim Pancar'' which is popular across [[West Papua (province)|West Papua]] and coastal [[Papua (province)|Papua]]. Its small to mid-size dance group formations could last all-night long. Several "Yosim Pancar" moves that are popular till this day are: Pancar Gas, Gale-Gale, Jef, Pacul Tiga, Seka, and [[Poco-poco]] adaptation.

This dance is an amalgamation of two traditional dances namely ''Yosim'' dances originating from the bay of Sairei (Serul, Waropen) and Pancar dances originating from Biak, [[Numfor]] and [[Manokwari]]. The musical instruments used for Yosim usually used are cuku lele (Ukulele), and guitars which shows foreign influences as these were not instruments from Papua. Included was also local bass made from three strings, with the strings made from Pandan leaves. As well as Kalabasa, a dried Calabash, which was then filled with beads. In ''Yosim'' dance, the women are dressed with weavings to cover the chest, and headress made from bird feathers. While the men are bare-chested and wearing the same headress. The dance movement are more energetic though simple. In ''Pancar'' dance, the music are from Tifa drums which is the universal instruments for coastal Papuans. The drum skin is usually made from soa-soa (lizards). The movements are more stiff following the Tifa beats.

Movements include Seka, this dance movement are usually from southern coast with famous version from Kaimana, Fakfak, and Timika. In Pacul Tiga, or Pancar Meneru the dancer swing forward three steps, and throw both arms and one leg to the left and right, which was then repeated for the other leg. Jef movements are influenced by rock and roll dance from 1969-1971, Gale-Gale movements are from Wondama Bay and Mor-Mambor islands. Pancar movements are performed by the dancers move in a circle. These movements was inspired by animals, and have four variations.<ref name="Ari Welianto 2021">{{cite web | last=Welianto | first=Ari | title=Tari Yospan, Tarian Persahabatan Khas Papua | website=KOMPAS.com | date=2021-02-07 | url=https://www.kompas.com/ | language=id | access-date=2021-11-29}}</ref>

The rhythm and song of Yosim Pancar dance are now being modernized with special effect sounds and pop dance beat. Originally the rhythm is to summon ancestral spirits and let them join the group. The traditional musical instrument of this dance is a self-made string bass from coconut tree and roots which is similar to the guitar or ukulele.{{Citation needed|date=December 2010}}

== Flora and fauna ==
{{main|Biak–Numfoor rain forests}}
[[File:Nepinsignis9.jpg|thumb|The carnivorous pitcher plant ''[[Nepenthes insignis]]'' grows on Biak.]]
The [[rain forest]]-covered Biak Islands have been designated the [[Biak–Numfoor rain forests]], especially as they have the largest number of [[endemism|endemic]] bird species of any single area in the New Guinea region.<ref name = wwf>{{WWF ecoregion|name=Biak–Numfoor rain forests|id=aa0103}}</ref> There are also numerous reptile and amphibian species found here. Among the many snake species catalogued by Tom Mendelson during his herpetological survey of Biak in the 1990s, the green tree python (''[[Morelia viridis]]'') and the amethystine python (''[[Morelia amethystina]]'') were quite common.  The [[Biak glider]] is a recently reclassified [[gliding possum]] species, formerly considered a [[sugar glider]] subspecies.

There are numerous types of flora in the tropical rain forest of the island, including a variety of trees and other commercially important species plus the lush vegetation of mangrove swamps.{{citation needed|date=May 2014}} The recently discovered palm tree ''[[Manjekia maturbongsii]]'' is endemic to Biak.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Three new genera of arecoid palm (Arecaceae) from eastern Malesia |year=2014 |last1=Heatubun |first1=Charlie D. |last2=Zona |first2=Scott |last3=Baker |first3=William J. |journal=Kew Bulletin |volume=69 |issue=3 |article-number=9525 |doi=10.1007/s12225-014-9525-x |s2cid=24848021 }}</ref>

== Notable people ==

* [[Frans Kaisiepo]], 4th Governor of Papua (as West Irian) and National Hero of Indonesia
* [[Johannes Abraham Dimara]], Indonesian Army major and National Hero of Indonesia
* [[Beatrix Koibur]] - politician.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Inside Indonesia 64 - Mama Papua |last=Feith |first=Annie |date=2001 |url=http://papuaweb.org/dlib/jr/ii/67/annie2.htm|access-date=2021-12-18|website=papuaweb.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211218152526/http://papuaweb.org/dlib/jr/ii/67/annie2.htm |archive-date=December 18, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2014-01-07|title=What's next for Papua after the MSG diplomacy?|url=https://humanrightspapua.org/news/2014/what-s-next-for-papua-after-the-msg-diplomacy/|access-date=2021-12-18|website=International Coalition for Papua|language=en-US}}</ref>
*[[Raema Lisa Rumbewas]] - Olympic weightlifter.
*[[Nitya Krishinda Maheswari]] - Badminton player, gold medalist at Southeast Asian Games and Asian Games.

==See also==
{{Portal|Islands}}
*[[1996 Biak earthquake]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{authority control}}

[[Category:Biak| ]]<!--please leave the empty space as standard-->
[[Category:Schouten Islands]]
[[Category:Regency seats of Papua (province)]]
[[Category:Biak–Numfoor rain forests]]
[[Category:Populated places in Papua (province)]]