Fort is a building aimed for defense purposes. It is necessary for survival when faced with threats. Fortresses are used as watchtowers and guardians against the enemies. Although the construction of the fort is very simple, the findings of fort sites can give a glimpse of what has happened in the past. Its historical existence serves several fundamental human natures that we can learn today. This article will explain forts as a defense strategy against threats and forts as a form of civilization.
Fort Sites in West Papua
Many forts have been found in many places around the world. One of them is in West Papua, Indonesia. In Indonesia, most forts are made with soil, and their purpose is to protect the locals from threats or danger.
There are several fort sites found in West Papua that date back to hundreds of years ago: Yenbekaki fort site, Kampung Usaha Jaya fort site, Wayom fort site, Keramat (Claudia) fort site, and other fort sites made by colonials. The fortresses were made either by the locals and the colonials. The locals made fortresses as a form of defense to protect themselves against the colonials. Some fortresses were also made by European colonials who used them to secure their territory when they came to the island.
The first fortress was made by English colonials Hayes Captain, called Fort Coronation. Its purpose was to protect the English from the locals and other colonial competitors. Then the Dutch also built a fort called Fort du Bus at Triton Bay in 1828.
Fundamental Human Nature from Fortification in West Papua
Fortification can give some fundamental human natures that we can learn, such as defense strategy and civilization.
Forts as a Defence Strategy Against Threat
Forts are built as a response against threats. When humans are faced with threats, it is necessary to build a defense for protection. The threat comes from the environment, which endangers the lives around it. Therefore, forts serve as a defense strategy to anticipate harm from the environment or the enemies.
Defense strategy is one of basic human nature to preserve their lives. The fort’s design should focus on the strength to withhold attack from the enemies. Fortification is also a sign of power or local authority who rules in that territory.
Many fort sites in West Papua were built as a response to the colonial invasion. The colonials gave a threat to the locals because they brought weapons with them. Colonials brought disadvantages to the locals. Therefore, the locals built fortresses to defend themselves against their enemies.
This is evidenced in the four fort sites mentioned before. First, Yenbekaki fort sites were built as a defense strategy for the Tidore kingdom to protect them from pirates. The fort was built with limestone, reef, and river stone. The materials were held together without any glue or adhesive.
Second, locals built the Kampung Usaha Jaya fort to protect themselves from the enemy’s attack. It is located in the coastal area, which enables them to observe the arrival of the enemy from the sea. Another fort located near the seashore is Wayom fort, the local’s defense fort against colonials in World War II. It formed a square and was made with coral reefs. Last, Babo fort served as a defense strategy against American soldiers.
Forts as a Form of Civilization
Apart from serving as a defense strategy, fort sites also mark a civilization in that time period. The fort sites tell a story in legends about important people who once occupied the land. The story behind the choice of the shape and how the fort was made, as well as the location of the fort can tell something about the history.
Two fort sites can tell us about civilization: Yenbekaki fort and Keramat (Claudia) fort. First, local people didn’t design Yenbekaki for defense purposes only. It was also a place for koreri movement to worship a god named Manarmakeri. Second, a place of worship was also found in Keramat (Claudia) fort, proven by an altar made from stones for worship. A lot of Mollusc shells were also found in this area which shows the existence of civilization.
CONCLUSION
Having a defense strategy and forming civilization are fundamental human natures that we can learn from fortifications. The findings of fort sites in West Papua are evidence of the history of people who lived there. They built forts to protect themselves against enemies, and they made their civilization marked by spiritual tradition through the god they worship.
