Culture Maritime in West Papua is one of the research locations for the research team of the Research Center for Socio-Economic Research KP (BBRSEKP) – Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries (KKP) to produce a Model-Based Creative Economy Application. Maritime Culture and Local Wisdom in Creating Value Added Maritime Tourism.
The selection of this location results from discussions between BBRSEKP and the Directorate General of Marine Spatial Management (PRL), who are very concerned about customary law communities in coastal areas in Indonesia. PRL also has a Sub-Directorate of Indigenous Peoples under the Directorate of Coastal and Small Islands Utilization.
The Sea Area of West Papua
The sea plays a critical role in the lives of the people of the northern coast of Papua from prehistoric times to historical times. The sea is a source of getting food and a means of connecting with outsiders through a series of voyages. It is exciting to conduct maritime archaeological research on the north coast of Papua.
West Papua Landscape
This province has tremendous potential for agriculture, mining, forest products, and tourism. They produce Pearls and seaweed in the Raja Ampat district. However, you can find the only traditional ikat weaving industry called Timor cloth in the South Sorong district.
You can find Fragrant nutmeg syrup in the Fakfak district and other potentials. In addition, culture maritime in West Papua is also one of the mainstays of West Irian Jaya, such as the Cenderawasih Bay National Park, which is located in Teluk Wondama Regency.
This National Park stretches from the east of the Kwatisore Peninsula to the north of Rumberpon Island with a coastline of 500 km, a land area of 68,200 ha, and a sea area of 1,385,300 ha with details of 80,000 ha of coral reefs and 12,400 ha of the ocean.
Recently a cave was discovered, which is claimed to be the deepest cave in the world by a French speleological expedition team in the Lina Mountains area, Irameba Village, Anggi district, Manokwari Regency.
This cave is estimated to reach a depth of 2000 meters. The mountainous area in West Papua still has a mystery of natural wealth that needs to reveal.
Tourism Potential in West Papua
The province, which has 160 tribes, relies not only on the potential for natural tourism but also on other potentials such as culture maritime in West Papua and culinary, as well as a mainstay to bring in thousands of foreign tourists.
This potential is expected to be disseminated by Asita and tourists on the Island of the Gods to the public. “So we hope that in the future, it’s not just Bali, which is also known as West Papua, especially Raja Ampat,” he said.
Yusak said, apart from Raja Ampat, many tourism potentials in West Papua would be the same as Raja Ampat if developed. This tabletop is the initial activity of the West Papua Culture and Tourism Office and the Raja Ampat Tourism Office in introducing its potential.
He saw that many travel agents were very enthusiastic about getting information regarding the destinations sold or developed in the Cendrawasih Earth.
Culture Maritime in West Papua
1. Traditional Boat
The Waigeo Island area has two types of boats for daily activities. Coastal communities tend to use the kind of boat with a cover resembling a house’s roof. The people who live in the bay area use boats in the shape of a mortar and rely on oars.
2. Boat Rock
One aspect that includes culture maritime in West Papua is rock art in caves. A boat-shaped rock image on the cliff wall of the Fafag Site in the Kabui bay area, Waigeo Island. You can see other rock image findings in the form of a ship on the island of Misool (Kampung Tomolol).
3. Coastal Village
You can find the coastal village on the island of Misool, which is popular as Yellu village. The floor material uses wooden boards, and the roof is from woven sago leaf midribs. In other words, coastal communities cannot exist without environmental factors.
4. People’s Pier
The people’s pier is at the mouth of the Waisai River, Waigeo Island, West Papua. This pier environment is close to the people’s market and easy to access. Even so, the width of this river reaches 25 meters, whose water conditions depend on the riverside.
Wrapping Up
The exciting thing in Raja Ampat is the discovery of boats from ancient times until now. People in Raja Ampat use their ability to interact with the environment. This phenomenon also affects interactions with outsiders and communities in the Raja Ampat region. It signifies that culture maritime in West Papua impacts acculturation in Raja Ampat.
