Sarmi Regency is one of the regencies (kabupaten) in Papua Province of Indonesia. It was formed from the western districts which had until then been part of Jayapura Regency with effect from 12 November 2002. It covers an area of 18,034.0 km2 (note that the province-level Statistics Bureau gives an alternate area figure of 14,068.37 km2), and had a population of 32,971 at the 2010 CensusBiro Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2011. and 41,515 at the 2020 Census;Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 2021. the official estimate as at mid 2024 was 43,090 (comprising 22,890 males and 20,200 females).Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2025, Kabupaten Sarmi Dalam Angka 2025 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9419) The regency's administrative centre is at the town of Sarmi.
Sarmi is named from an acronym of the five main ethnic groups, which are the Sobei (Sobey), Armati (Kwerba), Rumbuai (Bonggo), Manirem, and Isirawa. These five ethnic groups do not represent the overall diversity in this regency which has 87 ethnic groups, each with their own language.History of Sarmi Regency
Geography Sarmi Regency borders Jayapura Regency to the east and Mamberamo Raya Regency to the west. The southern border of the regency is formed by the Taritatu River; there the regency borders Central Mamberamo Regency in Highland Papua Province. The highest elevation of this regency is the summit of the Gauttier Mountain Range, at ~2,250 m above sea level, near the border with Mamberamo Raya.
Demographics The majority of Sarmi residents are native Papuans, with significant numbers of transmigrants from Java, Bali, Madura.
Religion The majority religion adopted by the Sarmi community is Christianity, with a significant presence of Islam brought by transmigrants from Java and Madura, as well as a small minority of Hindus and Buddhists from Bali.
Christianity (76.94%) Protestantism (74.74%) Catholicism (2.20%) Islam (22.96%) Hinduism (0.05%) Buddhism (0.05%)
Ethnic groups Sarmi is inhabited by Sobey, Armati, Rumbuai, Manirem, and Isirawa - all of who are native Papuans - together with migrants from other parts of Indonesia, especially Javanese, Madurese, Batak, Minangkabau, Bugis, etc.
Culture Long before European explorers landed on the northern coast of New Guinea, since prehistoric times the region had been in contact with various foreign cultures. About 3,000 years ago, Austronesian speakers migrated to the northern coast of New Guinea.
They made and used boats adapted for sea voyages, they were the ones who managed to find an outrigger system (balance on the left and right of the boat) to deal with the fierce waves of the ocean.Sarmi Regency Culture
Administrative districts At the 2010 Census, Sarmi Regency comprised ten districts (distrik), but subsequently nine additional districts (Sungai Biri, Veen, Bonggo Barat, Ismari, Sobey, Muara Toy, Verkam, Apawer Hilir and Apawer Tengah) have been created by splitting existing districts. These nineteen districts are tabulated below with their areas and their populations at the 2010 Census and the 2020 Census, together with the official estimates as at mid 2023.Badan Pusat Statistik, Jakarta, 28 February 2024, Kabupaten Sarmi Dalam Angka 2024 (Katalog-BPS 1102001.9419) The table also includes the locations of the district administrative centres, the number of administrative villages in each district (totaling 92 rural kampung and 2 urban kelurahan), and their post codes.
Kode Wilayah Name of District (distrik)Areain km2 Pop'n 2010Census Pop'n 2020Census Pop'n mid 2023EstimateAdmincentreNo.ofvillagesPostcode 91.10.14 Pantai Timur Barat (Western East Coast) 2,455 3,701 3,077 3,200 Burtin/Asyaf 999371 91.10.04 Pantai Timur (a) (East Coast) 1,794 2,132 2,179 2,200 Betaf III 799370 Sungai Biri 1,422 (b) 695 700Ansudu 399370 Veen 1,829 (b) 1,919 2,000Wakde/Ampera 799371 91.10.05 Bonggo (c) 385 3,883 3,115 3,200Kiren 799381 91.10.15 Bonggo Timur (East Bonggo) 863 2,846 3,285 3,400 Mawesmukti 699382 Bonggo Barat (West Bonggo) 308 (d) 1,221 1,300Podena 999382 91.10.02 Tor Atas 1,988 1,713 930 1,000Samanente 499372 Ismari 1,687 (b) 365 400 Waaf I 499372 91.10.01 Sarmi (e) 419 11,633 13,813 14,100Sarmi 9 (f)99373 91.10.13 Sarmi Timur (East Sarmi) 222 1,555 777 800Waskey 499377 91.10.12 Sarmi Selatan (South Sarmi) 302 1,799 2,178 2,200Wapoania 399376 Sobey 127 (b) 1,862 1,900 Bagaiserwar II 5 Muara Tor 782 (b) 1,079 1,100Ebram 599377 Verkam 649 (b) 1,062 1,100Amsira 699376 91.10.03 Pantai Barat (West Coast) 810 2,248 1,281 1,300Arbais 799375 91.10.09 Apawer Hulu (Upper Apawer) 779 1,461 1,232 1,300Aurimi 699374 Apawer Hilir (Lower Apawer) 578 (b) 878 900Burgena 599375 Apawer Tengah (Central Apawer) 635 (b) 567 600Airoran 599374 Totals 18,034 32,971 41,515 43,090Sarmi 94
Notes: (a) including the offshore islands of Pulau Masimasi, Pulau Wakde Besar, Pulau Wakde Kecil, Pulau Yamna Besar and Pulau Yamna Kecil. (b) the 2010 population of this new district is included with the figure for the district from which it was subsequently cut out. (c) including the offshore islands of Pulau Anus, Pulau Yersun, Pulau Podena, Pulau Mengge and Pulau Kaycebo. (d) the 2010 population of this new district is included with the figure for Bonggo District, from which it was subsequently cut out. (e) including the offshore islands of Pulau Armo, Pulau Kosong, Pulau Liki and Pulau Sawar. (f) including the 2 kelurahan of Sarmi Kota (Sarmi town) and Mararena.
References
External links Statistics publications from Statistics Indonesia (BPS)