Markus Makur, Timika – Two tribes involved in a series of deadly clashes over the past week in Mimika regency, Papua, have sat down for peace talks, but no deal has yet been reached.

Ten people have died in fighting between the tribes since July 21. Four of the dead were from the Damal tribe and six from the Dani tribe. The government has been criticized for being slow to step in and stop the fighting.

Though talks have so far failed to reach a settlement, Elminus Mom, chief of the Damal tribe, said he was prepared to end the violence. "We are still waiting for a decision from the families of the victims from the Dani tribe. We're still in negotiations, under the sponsorship of the Mimika regency administration," Elminus said.

While waiting for the results of the talks, the Damal tribe held a traditional funeral for one of its members killed Sunday. The body of the deceased was incinerated, which the Damal believe frees the soul to move into the next life. If this traditional ceremony is not performed, they believe the soul will remain trapped on earth, disturbing family members.

There have been conflicting reports about how the clashes in Mimika began. Most say the fighting began July 21, when Yohanes Kogoya from the Damal tribe was killed by arrows while attending the funeral of Nugi, the son of the Bhintuka village head, who was from the Dani tribe. Nugi reportedly drowned in a river, but the Dani blame the Damal for the death.

Fighting later broke out in the area of Kwamki Lama, not far from the massive gold and copper mine operated by PT Freeport Indonesia.

The situation around Kwamki Lama was calm Sunday, and residents were able to attend to their daily business. Two companies from the Mimika Police and paramilitary police unit Brimob have been deployed to Kwamki Lama to prevent the violence from escalating.