Research to trace the civilization on the land of West Papua has been conducted since 1996. Several archeological ruins were found, such as ancient manuscripts, mosques, tombs, ceramics, pottery, and other religious symbols.
However, the dispersion process has lots of versions, which experts and archeologists haven’t decided on one theory.
The Early Islamization in West Papua
Until today, experts and archeologists are still in debate about three main things about how Islam disperse in Papua, such as the source, the messenger, and the time when Islam arrived.
Many of the evidence was based on verbal traditions without any written inscription. According to what we have today, there are seven theories about the Islamic civilization on the land of Papua.
The Impact of Islamic Civilization
However, even though the trace hasn’t accurately been found, Islamic civilization had some impacts on Papua. Some Muslim traders were the ones who brought Islam to the upper area of Papua, which was later followed up by some da’i from various areas in Nusantara.
Sufis did not visit Papua back then. Thus, there were no variations of Islam found on this land. However, the impacts and influence of Islamic civilization were shown through the administration system, taxes, trade activities, art practices, and trade networks with clerics.
Government and Administration System
Islam came and brought the kingdom system to govern West Papua. Every king on Papua land had an assistant with a title similar to those in Ternate and Tidore (Maluku). They were such as mayor, sangaji, sawoi, and kapitan.
Other than the four titles above, there was a qadi at the center of the kingdom government who took care of justice in Papua.
With the presence of the governmental system, people would pay taxes to the kind. Not just about taxes, the system also promoted respect.
Taxes
The kingdom of Ternate applied annual taxes to its colonies as a responsibility. Taxes were not in the form of money, but people collected whatever they produced that year. This system was known way before Papua was acquainted with it.
Taxes in Papua were brought together as a reflection of solidity in an area. Thus, the Kapitan from all areas in Papua gather in a group and bring the taxes to the palace of Tidore.
Belief System
Unfortunately, the evidence of the belief system in West Papua is limited. The only evidence found in Fak-Fak was an Al-Qoran from the Ati-Ati King Family.
Another evidence was found in Patippi, but there was nothing to prove the year. It was an Al-Qoran written on wooden paper and animal skin as a cover.
According to the imam of Darussalam Mosque of Lilinta in Raja Ampat, Islam was brought by some Syafi’i muballigh. The podium in the mosque is evidence of the presence of the muballigh in the past. Each step of the podium has a different meaning that symbolizes the pillars of Islam.
Mosque Architecture in Papua
Darussalam Mosque is the biggest evidence of Islamic civilization in Papua. The original architecture of the mosque had a terrace, like those found in Java. However, since the building was built on swampland, the mosque utilized a platform.
Other mosques were also found in Fafanlap and Kaimana. Unfortunately, the original architecture was nowhere to be found, considering the buildings were rebuilt.
The Influence on Art
One of the most prominent influences is the calligraphy system and wood carving. Other than that, West Papua practices the Arababo music style.
The calligraphy was written on Muslims’ gravestones to show the name and lineage of the death. Until today, some well-known calligraphy artists are still around.The trace of Islamic civilization on the land of West Papua might not be as thorough as in other islands in Indonesia. Still, a few pieces of evidence are around to be found and were intriguing.
