Lani (ethnic group)

The Lani tribe is an indigenous group in Western New Guinea, also commonly referred to as the Western Dani, or grouped with the Dani People. The Lani and Western Dani designations separate the Lani as those living outside of the Baliem Valley, and the Dani as those populating the valley.

Etymology

In the Lani language, Lani has two meanings, the first meaning is a person that has nothing to keep or even to share, or a person who virtually has nothing. It does not mean the person is poor, because the term "poor" in Lani language is "enggi lek", which has a different connotation.

The second meaning of Lani is "you go". This term is particularly clear in relation to the stories told among the Walak tribe (Western Lani sub-group). In this story, the Walak word "Lani" means "you go". This term relates to another name of tribal group called "Loma." Loma tribal group are those who live in Puncak Jaya Regency of Central Highlands. They speak both Lani and Moni languages, and sometimes also speak Amungme language. According to this story, there was a consensus held in the Grand Valley to divide and spread the people around the highlands. The chief who ordered the separation and spreading ordered one group "Lani" (you go) to one group, and to the other "Loma" (there). Thus, the chief told them to "go", "there", that is, to go towards the direction he was pointing at, which was to the western side of the Baliem Valley.

The Population of Lani Tribe

The total population of Lani Tribes in 1980's as reported by Douglas Hayward in his book "The Dani of Irian Jaya, Before and After Conversion" says there were about 200.000 peoples.

In Melanesia, Lani is the largest tribe and language in Melanesia. The second one is Mee Tribes/ Language.