Women of West Papua flourishes in many industries, and the literary industry is not an exception. Most of the Indonesian-Papuan novels were written by women.
Women of Papua use literature as an outlet to voice their thoughts and express themselves even better. If you want to start a journey on Indonesia-Papuan literature, you should know some women writers.
Aprila Wayar
Wayar and her third novel, “Sentuh Papua.”
https://lokadata.id/artikel/aprila-russiana-identitas-ganda-jurnalis-dan-novelis
Aprila R.A Wayar was born in Papua in 1980. She is the first woman novelist in Papua, and also a journalist. She received her degree from Duta Wacana Christian University, Yogyakarta, in 2006.
After she graduated, she worked as a hotelier in Bitung. However, she gave up her position and went back to Papua. She’s now active as a journalist in Tabloid Jubi, and a researcher in an NGO called Foker-LSM.
When she was in college, she was an avid reader. She also wrote short stories in between her busy schedule as a final-year student. That experience helped her write and publish her first novel, “Mawar Hitam Tanpa Akar” or “Rootless Black Rose” in 2009.
On the same day, she also released another novel considered her second; “Dua Perempuan” or “Two Women.” Both of the books tell a story about the social struggle of people in the land she was born in, such as human rights violations and women’s empowerment.
In 2018, she released her third novel, “Sentuh Papua” which tells an undercover journalist and an armed organization. Two years later, in 2020, she proved herself highly productive as she released two of her novels: “Sentuh Papua”, and “Hutan Rahasia”.
Her achievements didn’t go unnoticed. Her work brought her to some of the most prestigious book events, such as Ubud Writers and Readers Festival and ASEAN Literary Festival.
Vonny Aronggear
Aronggear (far right) in a meeting with Papua Culture Observer
https://ciptamedia.org/laporan-aktivitas/2018-07-24-006
Vonny Aronggear is a poet, writer, and geography teacher in Jayapura. She got her education at Sebelas Maret University, Surakarta, with a cum laude title back in 2015.
Aronggear started as an avid reader. She would devour all kinds of literature, starting from magazines, short stories, and novels. That is when she decided to write, so other people will read her thoughts. She also started a literature lover extracurricular in the school she’s teaching in and other schools in Jayapura.
In 2016, she was involved with the Corruption Eradication Commission with 19 other poets. She also guided students to write their book, published in the title “Punah”.
As of now, she has already produced three novels, “Pelupuk Mata” in 2003, “Pandangan Cinta” in 2005, “ and “Tangisan di Timur Matahari” in 2019. She also collaborated and guided other poets and writers in no less than 18 published works.
Alfrida Yamanop
Yamanop in her house
Alfrida V.P Yamanop is a lecturer in Cendrawasih University, Papua. In 2018, she wrote her first novel, “Lembayung Senja” and got positive feedback from the public.
“Lembayung Senja” tells a story of some college mates and their friendship, love conflicts, and also about Papua. It gives a glimpse about Papua that feels easy and pleasant to read, even by readers who are not from Papua.
Aside from writing, she is also active in teaching and talking in literature seminars to encourage young writers to publish their work. To top it off, she’s been uploading her activities in her Youtube channel, ‘Alfrida Yamanop’.
Papua’s Aspiring Writers and The Role of Local Communities
Indonesian-Papuan literature is still few, the number of authors also needs to be increased. The role of local communities such as Komunitas Sastra Papua (Papua Literary Community) and Fawawi Club is essential to nourish the interest and talent of aspiring writers.
Just as Anne Frank said, “I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.”, writing is one of many options West Papuan women use to empower themselves.
