The Sumuri tribe is one of the seven tribes of Bintuni in West Papua. Since not many people know about this tribe, we will discuss the Sumuri tribe. Here are some details about the Sumuri tribe, one of the tribes in west Papua:
The Legend of the Sumuri Tribe
The word Sumuri, which the community uses as the name of their tribe, is the name of an area in Bintuni Bay. Sumuri means dark or blind. The name of the Sumuri area comes from a folk tale in the Sumuri tribe.
According to legend, in ancient times, there was a blind grandmother who lived around the Mai river. Mai river is located close to Tanah Merah Village and Saengga Village, Sumuri District, Teluk Bintuni Regency. Because she lives around the Mai river, the grandmother is called Grandma Mai.
Furthermore, based on community stories, two brothers and sisters named Soway and Doway came to meet Grandma Mai. The two brothers and sisters have the intention to cure Grandma Mai’s blindness. Soway and Doway put Karaka (a crab species from West Papua) into Grandma Mai’s sago tumang.
One day, when Grandma Mai took sago from Tumang, her hand was bitten by a karaka, so she was shocked and started to see. Derived from this legend of the blind grandmother, the area was then named Sumuri, which the Sumuri tribe used as the name of their tribe.
There are several different legends regarding the naming of this Sumuri tribe. However, of all the existing tales, the Sumuri tribe feels more appropriate and comfortable to be referred to as the legend of Grandma Mai. The Sumuri people believe that Grandma Mai was the first person to settle in the Sumuri area.
Sumuri Tribe Clan
In a tribe, a clan has a function to show the origin of the lineage, likewise, with the Sumuri tribe from West Papua. According to historical records, the Sumuri tribe has 18 clans.
In its development, you need to know that the Sumuri tribe has four waves of human arrivals. Each wave of people carries a different clan.
The first wave came with nine clans, namely Simuna, Ateta, Bayuni, Agofa, Muerena, Mayera, Soway, Werifa, and Wamay, who came from the Fak-Fak area. Then, the second wave brought four clans: Fosa, Dorisara, Sodefa, and Siwana. The people from this second wave came from the Mount Nabi area.
Next, wave three comes from the Kaimana area. This wave brought two clans, namely Kamisofa and Inanosa. The last wave to the Sumuri area came from the Serui area. This fourth wave brings one clan, Wayuri.
The Residence of the Sumuri Tribe
Occupying the Sumuri area, Bintuni Bay, the Sumuri tribe scatter in several regions. Some areas where this tribe lives are Tofoi (the capital of Sumuri District), Materabu Jaya, and Forada. In addition, several members of the Sumuri tribe also inhabit the areas of Agoda, Saengga, Tanah Merah Baru, Onar Lama, and Onar Baru.
Sumuri Tribe Beliefs
The Sumuri tribe has a belief in creatures they regard as invisible humans. They Call It Artra. The Sumuri believe that Artra is the “owner” of their residence.
To respect Artra, anyone who wants to enter the Sumuri ethnic area in the Sumuri District must first ask permission from Artra (the owner of the place) and the Sumuri ethnic group (Artra’s heirs). This rule is mandatory for everyone to do to avoid accidents due to Artra’s anger.
Well, that’s some interesting information about the Sumuri tribe. Hopefully, the above information can be helpful and increase your knowledge about the tribes in Bintuni Bay.
