Of the 255 ethnic groups, they certainly have their own culture and culture based on their traditional environment. one of the tremendous Arfak tribes in West Papua in the three Domberay regions.
The culture in Papua is diverse and unique, which later becomes a distinctive feature of the cash for Papuans. In Papua, 255 ethnic groups are widely distributed in seven customary Papuan areas.
Including the usual regions of Mamta, Saireri, Me-pago, La-pago, and Ha-anim in the province of Papua. Then there are the traditional territories of Domberay and Bomberay in West Papua Province.
Getting to know the Arfak Tribes in West Papua
The Arfak Tribe is one of the most widespread tribes inhabiting the bird’s head of the island of Papua. It is divided into five tribal sub-tribes, each with its chief. The Hattam-Moiley tribe, Sougb-Bohon tribe, Meiyah tribe, Moskona tribe, Mpur tribe, and Karon tribe are the highest tribal chiefs.
The Origin of the Name Arfak
At that time, the call by the name of the Arfak people by the coastal residents was not pleasing to their hearts, but the person concerned himself called himself a hattam person, meiyah person, Sougb person, and so on.
Arfak is taken from the name of a mountain in the area, Mount Arfak (Apomfires and Sapolette, 1993: 139). While the original name of Mount Arfak itself, which the local people there call Mount Indon, or, in the Hattam language, “Indonga,” which means big mountain.
The Origin of the Arfak People
You can find The origin of the Arfak people through stories contained in myths, folklore, or fairy tales. They believe that their ancestors came from animals (animals). The Manokwari people think Ajemoa, the god who created the universe, was their first ancestor.
Culture of the Arfak Tribe
All cultures on this earth have elements and forms of their respective cultures. To be able to explore the culture of the Arfak tribes of West Papua:
1. Language
A language is a communication tool to interact with each other in their daily lives. The languages spoken by the Arfak tribe include; Hattam language, Moiley hattam language, Sougb language, Sougb Bohon language, and Meiyah language.
2. Houses and Traditional Housing
When Arfak tribes make long trips to other areas or just down the city and back to the village, there are certain places they use to rest in the middle of the road. And when it rains, they take shelter in big trees or big rocks for shelter.
The traditional house of the Arfak tribe is a millipede house in the hatam language. They usually call it as mod aki aksa or igjoe. The millipede house is a conventional house of the Arfak tribe.
The materials are wood, bark, and tree trunks for supports and walls, rattan rope to bind, and the roof uses alang-alang grass, sago leaves and nibun leaves.
3. Religious System
The Arfak tribes in West Papua believe that certain plants have extraordinary powers, which are called in the hatam Mumweb language (suanggi medicine). This plant is used to pierce and poison someone or even to revive people who have been killed.
The Arfak tribe also believes that the natural environment in which they live contains various kinds of spirits, both good and evil. According to the beliefs of the arfak people, they are not allowed to accept gifts from people who killed our family. It is because the spirits of our deceased relatives will come to blind our eyes or make us sick. Arfak believes that the spirits of the dead are all in the sensenemes or Mount of Death.
The Wise Action of the Arfak
Most of the Arfak Mountains area is a forest stretching to the valley. To access the nearest location, Manokwari Regency, you must travel approximately 40 km. Tradition contains traditional knowledge related to the rules for protecting nature (conservation).
How the Arfak Community Maintains Forests
Conservation is not only about protection, while the meaning of using it is inadequate. Preserving nature depends on local communities’ participation, so the local community’s traditions and customs in maintaining the environment are vital.
Wrapping Up
The community only owns culture. While humans are not inherited biologically but are obtained through the learning process. Culture is acquired, supported, and passed on by humans as members of society. Culture is a statement or embodiment of human will, feelings, and thoughts.
In short, the Arfak tribes in West Papua still uphold its cultural and traditional beliefs. It is evident from how they continue to live according to tradition. They and the natives of West Papua steadily adapt to some changes despite modernization without losing their identity or traditional values.
