A dance, to local citizens of West Papua, is never just ‘ordinary’. It consists of multiple elements. Such as the movements, the clothes and the verses that recited simultaneously. All of the elements bring meanings and values which serve messages and life guidance.
As a destination full of natural and cultural charm, West Papua is prosperous soil. And as a hereditary treasure, it is only reasonable to preserve both of those charms down to the younger generations.
Short History
West Papua’s traditional dance did not develop instantly as we know it now did not create instantly. It went through generations as part of life. Many scholars believe that traditional dances began as rituals and religious practices of worship.1
As land on the farthest east of Indonesia, there is a notion that West Papua developed their dancing style before their contact with another region outside of the land. And it is still preserved by the citizens of West Papua.
Every dance can come from various tribes, and all of them have different background stories and verses. The messages to the dances are also additional. However, many of the dances teach a tale or two about the good values everyone should have in life.
Life Wisdom from Traditional Dance of West Papua
West Papuans hold a high value of their relationship with God. Most importantly, the act of being grateful for God’s blessing.
Tari Pangkur Sagu is a dance that symbolises the process of sago harvesting. It emphasises the act of being grateful, cooperating, obeying the leader and making ends meet2.
Citizens of West Papua also take a great deal of sound kinship. Tari Tumbu Tanah, for example, tells a story about the origin of the Arfak Tribe. The tribe was initially one but then divided into two over a significant conflict. The dance symbolises the realisation and the return of peace and harmony between the two tribes3.
Along with portraying their relationship with God and their communities, they also honoured nature. For example, Tari Wutukala describes the tradition of fishing done by the Moy Tribe. It tells a story about how they take what they need for a living while also using a safe way for nature.
The act of preserving nature is also shown in Tari Suanggi.
Suanggi is some kind of evil spirit who cannot leave the earth for the afterlife. Suanggi often possesses the body of a woman and bring misfortune to others. It is believed that the evil spirit despises the act of littering, especially in the forest where it lives. If done, it could bring harm to the actor4.
There are still so many traditional dances of West Papua which portray various life wisdom. An effort to preserve all of them is very required, not just for the citizens of West Papua and the government but also for all of us.
Preserving Traditional Dance to Promote Tourism
West Papua is hugely popular as a tourist destination. There are thousands of tourists visiting West Papua every year. In fact, in 2019, West Papua clocked a total of 32.000 visitors, which is only on Raja Ampat5.
That shows how West Papua has excellent potential to develop its cultural and natural tourism. And traditional dance is one of the ways to win tourists’ hearts.
The original and unique elements of West Papua traditional dance can give different feelings to tourists. Moreover, some of the dance requires tourists’, and it provides a different experience and engagement unlike anywhere else.
To obtain the goal, both the authorities and local communities of West Papua need to do everything to preserve their traditional dance. Constant action is needed, such as passing on the dance’s movements and philosophies and wisdom to youngsters and possibly even maintaining it digitally.
