West Papua is one of the islands in Indonesia that has a lot of biodiversity and unique customs. Papua is also a storehouse of natural beauty along with its content and demographic uniqueness.
So far, we think that the traditional clothes of the Papuan people are only koteka, but you are wrong. Papua has a variety of traditional clothing and cultural diversity that is special and meaningful.
West Papua itself has very distinctive traditional clothing, so it is not only famous in Indonesia, but Papua is also famous in foreign countries. These various kinds of traditional clothes are also different and adapted to their respective functions.
Traditional Papuan clothing is still closely attached to people’s lives. Of course, their thick customs are accompanied by no contamination even though technological developments are increasingly advanced.
There are some traditional Papuan clothes that are used to give their own charm so that they are used by ministers and other important people. Especially when raising the red and white flag at the Merdeka Palace.
We must know the various kinds of traditional clothes of the archipelago in order to preserve this culture. That way, people will get to know more about the cultural diversity of the Indonesian people.
Get to Know the Traditional West Papua Clothes Made of Sago Leaves
Papua does not only have one traditional dress as we know it is the koteka. They have more than 1 traditional dress and are used according to their respective functions and conditions. We have to know the traditional clothes owned by the land of Papua
This Papua Sati traditional clothing is one of the clothes that has got a modern touch. This type of clothing comes from the modern Papuan tribe, namely the southern sorong and this clothing can also be classified as flexible because it can be used by both men and women.
This grasscloth shirt has the basic ingredients of making it from the tops of sago leaves that have gone through a drying process. The Papuan people are adept at making these clothes even though these clothes are made in a fairly complicated way.
The sago leaves obtained through the drying process that was previously soaked will be woven traditionally. For the weaving process, the people of West Papua use wood as raw materials measuring one meter.
If the leaves have finished weaving, the dry grass will be selected as one. Then the grass will be useful as a belt. Although complicated, these traditional clothes are also quite unique and worth it to use.
Various Kinds of Traditional West Papua Clothes that are Not Yet Known by Many People
• Yokal traditional clothes
This traditional clothing is usually worn by the Papuan people especially by women who are married or married. This outfit has a reddish-brown color and can be found in the interior of Papua.
This clothing is also referred to as a symbol that the Papuan people have a close relationship with nature. This outfit is complemented by many distinctive accessories such as a head tassel, pig fangs, and dog teeth as well as a noke bag.
• Sali traditional clothing
This traditional Sali dress is specifically for women who are single or unmarried. This west Papua traditional clothing is made of tree bark that is not arbitrary. In its manufacture, the bark of the selected tree should be brown.
Women who have left the single period or are married are not allowed to wear this traditional dress anymore. It is devoted to being a symbol for women who are single and unmarried.
• Shirt brackets
This brackets traditional clothing is intended for women only. This traditional dress consists of a top made of velvet with a tassel skirt. Women also use a tassel of fur worn around the waist.
Not only that, but they also use necklaces and bracelets made of hard grains as a compliment. In addition, women who use these clothes will be considered more attractive by adding a head covering from cassowary feathers.
Koteka is a Traditional West Papua Dress that is Often Known
This one-of-a-kind traditional clothing is the most famous outfit. Koteka also has other regional designations, namely hilon, harim, or bobbe. Koteka is a traditional dress for Papuan men which is quite eye-catching.
This is because it has a function to cover the male genitalia. When using the koteka, the rest of the body is left visible and almost naked. Koteka is a male genital cover made of water-gourd skin.
The water gourd chosen is also usually old enough so that the texture is harder and lasts after drying. After drying, the koteka shaped like a sleeve will be attached to their waist pointing upwards.
The use of this Papuan traditional clothing has a special meaning. A man who has a high position traditionally, the size of the koteka they will wear will also get bigger and this can be seen during traditional events or other sacred events.
The various unique features of the island of Papua are very important for us to preserve and protect. Starting from traditional clothes, natural wealth, culture, and other uniqueness we must pass on to our grandchildren so that understand the uniqueness of West Papua.
