On March 7 of each year, the city of Jayapura stops for a moment to think and celebrate. People are proud to live in the area, and the streets are full of flags. Cultural events are held in neighborhoods. In 2026, the capital city of Papua reached a big milestone: it had been 116 years since it was founded.
For people who live there, the anniversary isn’t just a way to mark another year on the calendar. It is a chance to remember the amazing journey of a city that has changed many times over the years.
Today, Jayapura is the center of Papua’s government and economy. The city is on the coast of Yos Sudarso Bay and is surrounded by green hills and the deep blue waters of the Pacific. The city now has modern buildings, busy markets, and lively neighborhoods.
But the story of Jayapura started long before roads, bridges, and government buildings were built along its shores.
To understand the city today, you have to go back more than a hundred years, when it was called something else.
The Place That Used to Be Numbay
Before colonial powers came to this part of New Guinea, native Papuan communities already lived around Jayapura.
Numbay was the name of the area where the local people lived. It was a coastal settlement that grew up near the mouth of a river that flowed into Humboldt Bay. Along the shore were villages where fishing and trading were part of daily life.
Traditional ways of leading the community guided how people lived. Local leaders called Ondoafi were in charge of keeping the culture and social order. They were respected leaders who made sure that clans got along and kept the old ways that had been passed down through the years.
The sea gave food, the forests gave natural resources, and the mountains around the bay made the area safe.
For hundreds of years, life in Numbay went on at a steady pace.
But European explorers and colonial administrators would eventually take notice of the quiet coastal village. They saw the bay as a strategic location in the Pacific and wanted to take advantage of its resources, which would have a big impact on the local culture and economy.
The Birth of Hollandia in 1910
The Dutch colonial government set up a new administrative settlement along the shores of Humboldt Bay on March 7, 1910. This is when Jayapura’s modern history officially began.
The name of the settlement was Hollandia.
Historical records say that Dutch officer Captain F.J.P. Sachse was a key figure in the city’s founding. The Dutch chose the name Hollandia because the shape of the bay reminded them of the coast of the Netherlands.
Hollandia started out as a small colonial outpost. There were a few buildings along the waterfront that served as offices and homes for colonial officials.
But the location turned out to be very important.
It was a great port for ships crossing the Pacific because it had a natural harbor. Over time, Hollandia became an important place for the Dutch government to run things in New Guinea.
By the start of the twentieth century, the small colonial settlement was starting to look like a town.
Hollandia in World War II
During World War II, the quiet coastal town became the center of world events.
In the early 1940s, Japanese troops took over a lot of New Guinea, including Hollandia. The occupation was a big turning point in the city’s history.
In April 1944, everything changed again when Allied forces launched a large-scale military operation to retake the area.
American troops landed near Hollandia and quickly took control of the area under the command of General Douglas MacArthur. The city quickly became one of the most important military bases for the Allies in the Pacific.
During the war, the city saw the building of airfields, the opening of supply routes, and the passage of thousands of soldiers.
For a while, Hollandia was an important base for the Allies’ fight against the Japanese in the Pacific.
The infrastructure that was built during this time stayed in place after the war. Roads, airfields, and logistical networks set the stage for the city’s future growth.
A Town That Changed Its Name
There were big changes in the region’s politics in the decades after World War II.
The Netherlands gave up control of the territory’s administration to the United Nations Temporary Executive Authority in 1962.
The name of the city changed from Hollandia to Kota Baru, which means “New City,” during this time of change.
The change marked the start of a new political era.
The city was named Sukarnopura not long after that to honor Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president.
But the name didn’t stay the same.
The government officially chose the name Jayapura, which means “City of Victory,” in 1968.
The name stood for hope, new beginnings, and the idea that the city would keep growing and doing well in the future.
Papua’s Capital Is Now Jayapura
Over time, Jayapura became the most important city in Papua province.
Because it was on the northern coast of the island, it was a natural center for trade, transportation, and government.
Jayapura is the capital of Papua Province today. It is very important for the region’s government and economy.
The city is also one of the biggest cities in eastern Indonesia.
People from all over Papua and other parts of Indonesia have moved to Jayapura over the past few decades in search of education, work, and new opportunities. As a result, the city’s population has steadily grown.
The result is a lively city community made up of people from many cultures.
A City with a Lot of Culture and Different People
One of the things that makes Jayapura special is how many different cultures live there.
Indigenous Papuan communities coexist with migrants from various regions of Indonesia. This diversity is on display at traditional markets, food stalls, cultural festivals, and community events.
Traditions in the area are still strong. Many people still follow cultural traditions that come from their ancestors.
Betel nut, or pinang in the local language, is a symbol of daily life in Jayapura. Many Papuans still follow the social custom of chewing betel nut, which can be found for sale all over the city.
Because of this cultural tradition, Jayapura is known as the “City of a Thousand Betel Nut Trees.”
A City by the Sea in the Present
Jayapura has changed a lot in the last few years.
New infrastructure projects have changed some parts of the city, making it easier for people to get around and for businesses to do business.
The Youtefa Bridge is one of the most famous modern landmarks. It goes across the bay and connects different parts of the city.
The bridge is now a symbol of Jayapura’s modern identity and a popular place for both locals and tourists to visit.
In addition to building up its infrastructure, the city has also become a center for education and culture.
Schools like Cenderawasih University draw students from all over Papua, helping to raise a new generation of leaders and professionals.
The Way to Papua and the Pacific
Jayapura is in a good spot to connect Papua with the rest of Indonesia and the Pacific region.
Sentani International Airport is the main airport in the city for people going to and from Papua.
Its port helps with trade and logistics all over eastern Indonesia.
The city is close to the border with Papua New Guinea, so it is a good place for people from both sides to meet and work together.
Most tourists who come to Papua start their trip in Jayapura. From there, they go to places like Lake Sentani, the Cycloop Mountains, and the islands in the nearby bay.
Looking Forward to the Next Chapter
Jayapura is 116 years old this year, and the city is still looking to the future while remembering the many events that have shaped it.
The city’s story is one of change and strength. It started as the indigenous settlement of Numbay and became the colonial town of Hollandia. Today, it is the capital city of Sukarnopura.
Jayapura is more than just a city on a map for the people who live here.
It is a place where cultures come together and grow, where the sea meets the mountains, and where the past shapes the future.
Jayapura is now one of the most important cities in eastern Indonesia, after more than a hundred years of change.
The spirit of the city’s long journey will continue to guide its path as it moves into the next chapter, shaping its growth, cultural identity, and community projects.