West Papua is the easternmost part of Indonesia and is located next to Papua New Guinea. The island of Papua has various types of culture and customs that were passed down from their ancestors before.
With the abundance of mineral resources, natural resources, and biodiversity that live in the Papua region, this region is a paradise for adventure. Not only that, but Papua also has customs that are still unknown to many people.
Papua is not only famous for the birds of paradise that are typical of this place, but also many tourist attractions that we can visit. Like in Raja Ampat, Wasur National Park and Lorentz National Park are the largest in Southeast Asia.
Papua is the second-largest island after the island of Greenland in Denmark. Papua also has hundreds of tribes with more than two hundred regional languages. The tribes in Papua are the Asmat, Amungne, Huli, Bauzi, Muyu, Korowai, and many more.
The many tribes that inhabit the Papua region make our brothers who live there have many very diverse traditions. Some of the traditions that exist there may be foreign to the ear and somewhat unique.
The Cultural Diversity of the Island of West Papua has its Meaning and Purpose
One of the traditional dances that are often heard by many people and are typical of Papuan dances is the Seka dance. This dance is very synonymous with the Papuan folk song, namely Yamko Rambe. In addition, this dance is a dance that is often performed at traditional events.
Injak Piring is one of the traditions carried out by the Biak tribe in Doreri Bay, Manokwari. Carrying out this tradition aims to welcome the relatives of those who return from overseas. This tradition will make the nomads bathe on a traditional plate.
The Mansokwari ritual is followed by the nomad entering a room with his extended family and going around the nine traditional plates nine times. The number nine represents the nine clans of the Doreri tribe in Manokwari, West Papua.
After the activity, the nomads will step on the crocodile replica which is a symbol of the trials and challenges in life. This tradition is referred to as an expression of gratitude for the return of family members as well as expelling evil spirits while they are overseas.
However, after the development of time, the people of the Biak tribe carried out this ritual by pouring water on the nomads who had returned before entering the house. Not only to welcome immigrants, but this tradition is also to welcome state guests.
Many state guests visit Manokwari and are greeted with this ritual. The guests will carry out the tradition of stepping on the plate symbolically as a form of gratitude for the Biak people for their visit to Manokwari, West Papua.
Some of the Papuan Tribal Customs that are Still Ongoing Today
The customs carried out by the Papuan people are not far from welcoming guests and exorcising evil spirits. Several rituals are also performed at certain times to commemorate the sacred day of the Papuan tribal community.
• Burn Stone (Barapen)
This tradition is carried out by the community as a symbol of gratitude and brotherhood. This tradition is one of the oldest cultures on the island of Papua. This stone-burning tradition is done by making a hole and covering it with banana leaves.
On top of the leaves, large clean stones will be arranged below, then piled with firewood and covered with small stones. They will burn the stone until it is hot before the food will be placed to cook.
• Tattoos
The people of West Papua, especially the Meyakh and Moi tribes carry out the tradition of making tattoos on their bodies. The tattoo is patterned with circular lines and dots that resemble a conical triangle or it can be tridiagonal that lines up vertically and horizontally.
People there will dip fish bones that have eaten meat or tree thorns into the sap of the langsat tree. They can also use fine charcoal in the process of making the tattoo. That’s why you often seeing papuan people using tatoos.
Papuan People’s Traditions that are not Uncommon to Do
Some of the traditions found in Papua are still foreign to us as modern Indonesian people. The people of West Papua tend to carry out traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation by their ancestors.
One of the unusual traditions is cutting the toes (Iki Palek). This tradition is carried out when a family member dies. They will cut their fingers as a symbol of sadness as well as keep the calamity of the cause of death away.
In the Dani tribe in the Baliem Valley, this tradition is carried out after the funeral is finished. They cut their fingers with machetes or sharp knives or bite the knuckles off. The number of fingers sacrificed must match the number of family members who died.
Ararem is one of the traditions carried out by the groom. The Biak tribe in Papua carries out the Ararem tradition at the wedding of its citizens. The groom’s extended family will deliver the dowry on foot.
Seserahan is done on foot while carrying offerings and accompanied by dancing and singing like national songs. The customs in Papua are indeed very thick, we must know the various unique things that exist in West Papua.
