In the 17th century, Sailor Jan Carstenszoon recorded the existence of high, snow-covered mountains in the middle of the island, despite its location on the equator.

The first recorded contact was made during an expedition led by Hendrikus Albertus Lorentz in 1909 with representatives from Pesegem (Nduga people misidentified as Dani).

The Baliem Valley, home to the Dani Tribe, was accidentally discovered by an expedition led by Richard Archbold from the American Museum of Natural History in 1938.

[10][12] In the book titled Lost in Shangri-La published in 2011, author Mitchel Zuckoff uncovered that the region was not yet mapped during World War II.

The geography of the area was treacherous with its high and cloudy mountains, dense forests, and hostile tribes, leading to numerous fatalities.

Regional council of Jayawijaya Highland was formed on 4 July 1968 to prepare for the execution of Penentuan Pendapat Rakyat or shortened to PEPERA.

[20][21] Meanwhile, PEPERA in the Jayawijaya Regency (current Highland Papua) was implemented by Deliberative Council for Determining People's Opinion in Jayawijaya Regency led by Clement Kiriwaib (former member of New Guinea Council) on 16 July 1969 in Wamena, where they agreed on two decision, West Irian is an indivisible part of Unitary State of Republic of Indonesia and will not be separated from Bangsa Indonesia (Indonesian Nation) from Sabang to Merauke.

Several incidents caused by Free Papua Organization include research team hostage in Mapenduma in 1996,[23] killing of Istaka Karya workers who were building a bridge in Nduga in 2018,[24] and the burning of high schools and health centers along with the killing of health workers in the Pegunungan Bintang Regency.

[25][26][27] In the highlands of Papua, there are also frequent community unrest which caused material losses and casualties, for example the burning of government offices in Yalimo due to the 2021 regional elections,[28] riots in Wamena in 2019 that killed 10 Minang migrants,[29] and clashes between tribes of Lanny Jaya (predominantly Lani and Dani) against Nduga in Wouma District, Jayawijaya Regency using arrows and burning houses in 2022.

[32][35] On 16 July when the province was waiting to be formalized, TPNPB gunmen shot and killed eleven civilians (mostly traders from other islands) and injured two others in the village of Nogolait, Nduga Regency.

16 of 2022 was inaugurated, the regents in the new province collaborated with the Ministry of Home Affairs through the Kelompok Kerja (Pokja) III Task Force to support the New Autonomous Region to establish the location of the governor's office and temporary service, the provisional budget prior to the regional elections, the State Civil Apparatus (ASN), as well as grants from each regencies, the parent province, and the central government.

[38] Pokja also reviewed the potential location of the future Provincial Government office centre with alternatives offered between Muliama District, Wamena, Megapura, or Hubikiak.

The temporary governor's office sign was installed on 6 September 2022 but was vandalised a day later by 9 members of the Jayawijaya Regency Student Association (HMKJ) who were eventually arrested by the police.

The Highland Papua Electoral District consists of all of the 8 regencies in the province, and elects 3 members to the People's Representative Council.

Highland Papua presents a picturesque landscape characterized by deep valleys bordered by imposing mountains, attracting adventurers seeking unique experiences.

However, accessing these settlements entails traversing rugged terrains fraught with hazards, including steep gradients, precarious ravines, and river crossings.

Renowned for their fertility, these valleys serve as location for traditional settlement and agricultural land, primarily cultivating sweet potatoes, a staple food among local tribes.

However, the delivery of aid to such areas is hindered by minimal infrastructure and the presence of the Free Papua Movement, a terrorist group operating in the region.

The warmer climate makes them vulnerable to malaria outbreaks, necessitating concerted efforts in disease control and prevention.

Coastal Papuans are usually more willing to accept modern influence into their daily lives, which in turn diminishes their original culture and traditions.

Meanwhile, most inland Papuans still preserves their original culture and traditions, although their way of life over the past century are tied to the encroachment of modernity and globalization.

[64][65] The finger cutting tradition (Indonesian: Tradisi Potong Jari or Iki Paleg) is practiced among the Dani people of the Baliem Valley in central Papua.

For Dani people, sadness and grief due to adversity and the loss of a family member are not only appreciated by crying, but also cutting fingers.

In addition, arrows also function as property and souvenirs for home decoration in several areas in Papua, including Jayapura, Wamena, and Kurulu.

[70] Pikon [id] is a traditional wind instrument typical of the highland tribes such as Hubula, more commonly called Dani, inhabiting the Baliem Valley.

[78][79] The koteka is a penis sheath traditionally worn by native male inhabitants of some (mainly highland) ethnic groups in New Guinea to cover their genitals.

It is usually worn without other clothing, tied in upward position, although Yali people wore them with body coils made of rattan.

In 1971–1972 the Indonesian New Order government launched "Operasi Koteka" ("Operation Penis Gourd") which consisted primarily of trying to encourage the people to wear shorts and shirts because such clothes were considered more "modern".

[89] Extensive mountainous terrain and underdeveloped infrastructure highlight the crucial role of air transportation in Highland Papua.

Each regency capital have its own airport listed below:[90] In addition, numerous airfield cater to isolated districts and villages with limited infrastructure (some aren't even paved).