Wabo language threatened with extinction; BRIN compiles grammar to preserve Papua heritage

The Wabo language, spoken in the Yapen Islands of Papua, is facing a critical threat of extinction, with its use now limited to individuals aged 50 to 70. In response, Indonesia's National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) is accelerating efforts to document the language and compile a descriptive grammar to ensure its preservation.

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Besides that, recordings of the Wabo language have also been archived in an international repository called The Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR).

BRIN organized a focused group discussion from June 8-12, 2026, in Yapen Islands to verify data on the Wabo language. The initiative involved native speakers, local government officials, the Yapen Customary Council, and the Yapen Cultural Association (Persada). According to BRIN's research team leader, Satwiko Budiono, Wabo language data has been archived in the National Scientific Repository (RIN) through the Language Documentation in Indonesia (Ladin) program and also in the international repository, The Endangered Languages Archive (ELAR).

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The documentation of the Wabo language has a long and continuous work process, requiring assistance from various parties such as Wabo speakers themselves and the local government.

This verification process is a continuation of documentation research conducted between 2023-2024. After data archiving in 2025, BRIN is now focused on compiling a grammar reference for language preservation. "The documentation of the Wabo language has a long and continuous work process, requiring assistance from various parties such as Wabo speakers themselves and the local government," Satwiko explained. He noted that historical prohibitions on using Wabo in education and religious activities contributed to its decline.

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This condition makes the documentation and compilation of a descriptive grammar important so that the uniqueness of the Wabo language can still be passed down and learned by the next generation.

Saskar Paiderouw, head of the Yapen Islands Regional Development Planning Agency (Bapperida), expressed support for BRIN's research, acknowledging that many regional languages in Yapen are endangered. "Bapperida of Yapen Islands is committed to continuing to support and strive for research on these regional languages to be carried out in the future through cooperation and collaboration with BRIN," he stated. This collaborative effort offers hope for safeguarding the unique linguistic heritage of the Wabo people.

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Bapperida of Yapen Islands is committed to continuing to support and strive for research on these regional languages to be carried out in the future through cooperation and collaboration with BRIN.