These tribesman look like they are ready to go to war but are actually just getting in the party spirit in Papua , Indonesia . These incredible pictures show the tribal people of Papua during a unique tradition of thanksgiving called a Bakar Batu party . The tradition , which translates to 'burn stone ' is a ritual traditional Papua as an expression of gratitude for the abundant blessing , ceremonies including weddings and funerals , welcoming honourable guests and also as a proof of peace after a war occurred between the tribes . A dance of war is performed by the tribesmen in Wamena which is followed up by a hog roast feast - cooked on the 'burning stone ' . Scroll down for video . The party is held in a big field if it is an expression of gratitude or being used as the symbol of peace , or within the tribe people 's homes if it is a wedding or a funeral . War dance : Members of the tribe are dressed in traditional war attire and hold spears as part of the Papuan dance of war in Indonesia . Party time : Tribal people of Papua participate in a Papuan dance of war during Bakar Batu party . The ceremony is usually held in a big field when it is an expression of gratitude or the symbol of peace . Tradition : Colourfully decorated tribe men and women hold hands as part of the Bakar Batu party in Wamena in Paupau , Indonesia . Special occasion : Women with painted faces gather around a fire inside a wooden hut at the as part of the unique tradition of thanksgiving . Custom : A member of the tribal people of Papua , in full traditional costume , wears a grass necklace as he prepares for the Bakar Batu party ritual procession in Wamena , Indonesia . Getting ready : Women in traditional dress prepare the feast ready for the Bakar Batu thanksgiving party , as a child in a headdress looks on . Joint effort : Several women can be seen tending to the hog roast cooked on a traditional fire as part of the festival of thanksgiving . Ritual : The tribal people of Papua gather in traditional dress , clutching onto spears , for the dance of war which forms part of celebrations . One tribal members reveals a watch on his wrist amongst his traditional attire as he gets ready for the Bakar Batu party , which translates to 'burn stone ' Procession : Tribesmen wave their spears in the blue sky as part of the traditional ritual procession performed as a thanksgiving for abundant blessings . Helping hand : A young boy helps to build up a fire with foliage as part of the 'burn stone ' thanksgiving festival that is traditional to people in Papua , Indonesia . Authentic : Tribeswomen tend to the traditional fire using their bare hands while men look on . The traditional ritual procession is followed by a feast in Papua , Indonesia . Sacrifice : A hog is slaughtered by tribesmen to form the central part of the feast at the Indonesian thanksgiving festival . Dinner time : The hog roast is ready to eat after being cooked on a fire incorporating the stones the Bakar Batu party takes its name from . Tribesmen of Papua prepare a traditional fire with stones in the middle . The Bakar Batu party translates to 'burn stone ' and is used for traditions including weddings , funerals and welcoming guests . Next generation : A Papua tribesman teaches children about the tradition which was sometimes held as proof of peace after a war occurred between tribes . War dance : Tribesmen climb a wooden watchtower while another points his bow and arrow in the Papuan dance of war during the Bakar Batu party Wamena , Indonesia .
Tribesmen and women wear traditional dress for the celebrations in the Papua highlands of Indonesia . Bakar Batu parties include a dance of war and feast cooked on the stones the tradition is named after . Celebration was used to prove war was over and there was peace between tribes in the region .