The Name New Guinea and Papua

The name “Papua” comes from a Malay word meaning ‘frizzy’, as in frizzy hair. The name “Guinea” comes from a North-African word meaning ‘black’.

 

In 1526, Jordge de Meneses, from Portugal, was blown off course while sailing to the Moluccus Islands. He came ashore ar Verija (Warsai) and saw people there who were called Papuans by Malay traders who knew the area. Meneses called the island Ilhas dos Papua meaning Land of the Papuans.

 

In 1545, the Spaniard Ortiz de Retes sailed along the north coast. The island and its People reminded him of West Africa, which was known to the Europeans as Guinea. Retes called the island New Guinea.

 

In 1828, Holland claimed the western half of the island. The new colony was called Dutch (Netherlands) New Guinea.

 

In 1884, Germany and British divided between themselves the eastern part of mainland and nearby islands. The two new colonies were called German New Guinea and British New Guinea.

 

In 1906, Britain handed over its territory to Australia and its name was changed to the Territory of Papua.

 

In 1920, at the outbreak of World War 1, the Australian military took German New Guinea by force and was Administered by Australia.

 

In 1942-1945, Japan invaded and soon took control of the northern areas while Australia took control of its territories, then most Dutch had left their part of New Guinea.

 

In 1945, Japanese were defeated and Dutch and Australians took control of the boundaries.

 

In 1971,the territory of Papua and New Guinea became the Territory of Papua New Guinea. This small but significant change in the name was to unite the two territories.

 

And in 1975, Papua New Guinea was granted self government in 1973 and on September 16 1975 the two territories were joined to become the Independent nation of Papua New Guinea.

 

Picture Credit: Charles Marshall.