Currently, the majority of the population of Papua is Christian. Still, from interviews conducted with Muslim religious leaders in Papua, we see that many people along the west coast of Papua are Muslim. Therefore, Islam in West Papua areas along the west coast of Papua found ancient texts with Islamic nuances.
Islam in West Papua
Islam in West Papua is a minority religion embraced by 14.57% of the total 4.31 million Papuan population, according to the Ministry of Home Affairs (2021). Most of these Muslims are non-indigenous Papuans (439,337 people, or 15.51%), while the rest are indigenous Papuans (10,759 people, or 0.38%).
From Western sources, it’s stated that in the sixteenth century, several areas in western Papua, were subject to the authority of the Sultan of Bacan in Maluku. Based on a popular story from the Islamic community of Sorong and Fakfak, Islam entered Papua around the 15th century, which was passed by Muslim traders. Trade, among others, was carried out by Bugis traders through Banda (Central Maluku) and Arab traders from Ambon who passed through East Seram.
Along with commercial channels, Muslim exiles from Sumatra, Kalimantan, Maluku, and Java helped spread knowledge of Islam in the Merauke region. People of Javanese heritage who are descended from those who were transferred during the Dutch colonial era or descendants of the transmigration program in the post-independence period of Indonesia are referred to as “Jamer” (an acronym of Java-Merauke) in Merauke.
Paths for the Entry of Islam in West Papua
With regard to the entry routes of Islam in West Papua, according to sources who are Islamic religious leaders in Papua, there are three main routes , namely, the Tidore Sultanate, Raja Ampat, and the Seram-Banda Islands.
1. Path of the Tidore Sultanate
Sources believe that the Tidore Sultanate was present in Papua long before colonialism entered Papua. According to Andaya (1993), Papuans associate Tidore with Islam. In 1705, when Jogugu and the Marine Captains Salawati and Waigeo received the envoy of the Sultan of Tidore.
2. Raja Ampat Route
Raja Ampat islands are a mountainous archipelago located between North Maluku and the mainland of West Papua. According to legend, the origins of the Raja Ampat kingdoms were ruled by four kings, namely King Salawati, King Waigeo, King Misool, and King Waigama.
3. The Seram Path
Islam came to Papua through Seram, according to sources in the area. Senarai spread Islam, some of them married local residents, giving birth to mixed Moluccan-Papuan descendants. Haji Jafar Bugis’ ancestors migrated to Tual, then moved to Kampung Lilinta on Misool Island.
4. Islam’s Influence on West Papua
In the past, the development of Islam in West Papua was very slow, apart from the fact that there was no successor generation to continue the existence of Islam. There were also Islamic religious organizations in Papua, such as Muhammadiyah, Nahdlatul Ulama, LDII, and Islamic boarding schools.
Final Thoughts
From the explanation above, it can be seen that Papua has long known the written culture, at least since Islam entered Papua in the 17th century which was brought by sayids and sheikhs through Tidore, Raja Ampat, and Seram routes.
As evidence of the penetration of Islam in West Papua, we can still see traces of Islamic culture recorded in the Papuan written tradition manifested in the form of ancient manuscripts and historical objects.
Based on the names and narratives of the informants, it can also be seen that the owners of ancient manuscripts in Papua are not native Papuans but are migrants who come and settle in Papua, intermarrying with the local population so that they give birth to mixed offspring.
