As a province with numerous indigenous ethnic groups, West Papua has different and unique traditions and cultures. Those traditions come from those multicultural ethnic groups and tribes that constitute two-third of the population. One of the local traditions that need full attention is the local game, Inkaropianik.
This game seems to have faded away as a few locals and kids play it. What kind of game is it? How to play it? What are the solutions to preserve this local game? Let’s take a look at the explanation in this article below.
The History of Inkaropianik
West Papua Province will amaze the people with its wealth of cultural traditions. Tradition is not only about food, habits, dance, and belief, but it also relates to the traditional game. The games from the eastern province of Indonesia value nature and respect cultural traditions. One of the local games is Inkaropianik.
Being famous in the Raja Ampat Islands, Sorong Regency, West Papua, this game is adapted from a strong fish with rough skins, named Inkar. This game depicts the strength of the fish to get out of the nets that trap them.
At that time, the purpose of playing this local game is to train the children of Raja Ampat Islands to swim. Furthermore, the local people turn this game into a swimming competition. As this game becomes more popular, adults and children in Raja Ampat Islands play it. Therefore, this game helps to preserve the local tradition and create a community event to value unity and togetherness.
How to Play
When it comes to playing this game, there is no definite number of players. Yet, if you want to play it, this game requires at least six players. This game will be more fun and exciting when a large number of players take part. To make this game becomes more entertaining, the players can play it in a river, a pond, or a swimming pool. After all the players are getting ready, the game can be started. Here are the ways to play this game.
- Choose a player that will act like a fish. The other players will form a net through their hands that holds on to each other.
- The player that becomes a fish must go outside of the net. Then, the player needs to get through the gaps from the players’ legs that become the net.
- After a player gets into the net, the player needs to get out of the players. He could push his body or chest to the hands of the players.
- The player can get out of the net if he could let go of the hands of the players that hold on tight.
- The player that acts like a fish will be at foul play if he dives in through the legs of other players. On the other hand, when the player can go out of the net, it means the player wins. The game is over. They can choose another player to become a fish.
From the instructions on how to play the game, you can see the audiences will find the Inkaropianik game entertaining. They will cheer the player out loud so he can get out of the hands of other players.
Solutions to Preserve Local Tradition through Inkaropianik
Amidst the sophisticated technology in this digital era, many children don’t know some traditional games from Indonesia, including the games from West Papua. The government and the stakeholders try to preserve the local tradition through Inkaropianik and other games. As the existence of this game is slowly becoming unfamiliar, they conduct some solutions.
- Encourage the parents and community to play this game. It will be more impactful if the community holds this game when they celebrate a special event.
- Insert the local wisdom that relates to this game in local and physical education subjects. The students will know the rules and the ways to play this game.
- Insert this game to play every year in special events like Indonesia Independence Day and some special events in West Papua. Many audiences will watch the game during the events, learn the rules, and play it with their friends.
- Build a community where the members have the same interests and care in increasing the exposure of the local game in this eastern province.
- Conduct the training of Inkaropianik and other traditional games. The teacher or the local community can present how to play the local game training at home or school environment and practice them. In this training, the presenters can convince the children that playing traditional games is fun and healthy. They also can get close to nature and have the sense to preserve it.
Conclusion
Preserving the local tradition in West Papua through the traditional game, Inkaropianik is not easy. All stakeholders need to coordinate, synergize, and work together to introduce and expose the local cultures to the youth and children. Don’t let the cultures, nature, and traditions disappear.
