Asei village is one of the tourism objects in West Papua. It is located in Sentani lake. They have unique art. It is called Asei village bark painting. This art becomes their original culture and identity.
In this article, we will tell you everything about bark painting in Asei village.
What is bark painting?
The bark is a handicraft and painting material. It is very famous in West Papua. Most of traditional handicrafts and paintings use it. Because of that, it becomes unique art from West Papua. Bark painting is an art that uses bark as basic material.
Bark painting mostly has 3 colors. Red, Black, and white. It becomes the identity of Papua. The red color comes from red fruit. Black color from charcoal. White color from chalk or shell. The canvas makes from Khombow bark.
Bark painting from Papua has many motifs. For example, nature, animals, humans, flora, etc. Mostly tell about the exotic of Papua Island. All of the painting material uses West Papua’s natural resources. That’s why it becomes their identity art.
Asei Village History
Asei Village is located in Sentani lake. Like Samosir island, Asei Island is surrounded by Sentani lake. You can go to Asei Island by boat. It takes 20 minutes. You can rent it on the Sentani lakeside.
Asei village ethnic lives on Asei island. They are originally ethnic from there. Asei ethnic believe that Asei island is a dragon or big snake body in the past. They believe that they are the generation of dragon riders.
Bark painting history in Asei Village
Asei Village bark painting history starts from a longtime ago. Bark painting start in 1600 M. In that time, almost all citizens wear traditional clothes. It is also made from the bark. They also draw or paint their bark clothes. Bark painting culture starts from that.
But, bark painting also got lost. It happens when textiles enter Asei Island. During that time, Asei citizens change their job. From bark painting to textile craftsman. The clothes also change. From bark clothes to textile clothes.
Then in 1971, the bark painting was revived. The Asei citizens start to make bark paintings again. After that, bark painting becomes their original culture. This culture still exists now.
Asei Village’s unique facts
Now, we will tell you about Asei Village bark painting facts. You can find many unique facts about this village. Read it below.
1. Tourist village
The government set Asei village as a tourism object. Many tourists come here to see Asei Village bark painting art. They are very interested in it. It also becomes a local souvenir. When you come here, you must buy it.
The price of bark painting is variety. Start from 5.000 rupiahs until 75.000 rupiahs. It depends on the model, size, and difficulty level.
2. The bark is their identity and culture
When you came here, it was like Asei Village bark painting gallery. It is because almost all citizens do bark painting. They do it from generation to generation. From children until adults. They learn and do bark painting.
3. Bark painting unique motif
The bark painting design of Asei village has a unique motif. Mostly tell about their life. Especially the nature and animals around them. Fouw is the famous motif. It is also called as empire family motif. This motif means togetherness and family.
4. Historical place
Besides bark painting culture, Asei village is also known as a historical place. You can see many artifacts. Especially from World War 2. For example, machine guns, fuel tanks, and other artifacts. When World War 2 happened, the allied soldier are in Sentani.
Culture is the important thing we must keep. Asei ethnic is a great example. They keep bark painting culture from generation to generation. And now, it becomes their original culture. They also get profit from it.
