Papua is renowned for its lasting impressions. There is no question about the local arts and crafts’ uniqueness in West Papua. Here we provide you with West Papua info about their arts and crafts.
West Papua Info: Local Arts and Crafts
Below, here are eleven local arts and crafts in West Papua that will impress you.
1. Koteka
The Koteka is the defining characteristic of the Central Highlands of West Papua. It is traditional attire for men, made from a kind of pumpkin.
2. Tifa
Tifa are percussion instruments crafted from Seman wood from trees in the seashore region of Raja Ampat.
3. Noken
A Noken is a West Papuan bag constructed from wood fiber or wool yarn. Usually, you can find Noken on the road in Jayapura or at the handicraft market.
The price of Noken ranges depending on its material, size, and manufacturing complexity. One of the pricey Noken is the Orchid Noken, whose price surpasses millions of rupiahs.
4. Beads
One of the most distinctive accessories for West Papuans is beads. Papuans often adorn themselves with beads wrapped around their bodies for formal events. The beads are wrapped around the neck and stretched past the sleeves and armpits on both sides.
5. Bark Souvenir
Asei Island, Sentani, Jayapura Regency, is home to the most well-known bark craft. The bark is transformed into paintings by local artisans.
The surrounding environment influences the painted themes, such as fish, crocodiles, boats, and birds. Each piece has its own tale, which is primarily rooted in Sentani culture.
There are now an increasing number of variations on bark crafts. Some are paintings or other forms of handiwork, such as hats, purses, key chains, crowns, and many more.
6. Papuan Batik
Papuan batik motifs are pretty distinctive from those of other places. Each district has its own signature motif, such as Lake Sentani, coastal, mountain, paradise, honai, and many more.
7. Cendrawasih’s Head Crown
Typically, the indigenous people of West Papua utilize the feathered crown of a Cendrawasih for traditional uses, such as conventional rituals. The crown has a relatively high price because of its scarcity.
8. Weaving Crafts
The inhabitants of Raja Ampat are also popular for their woven works of art. This exquisite weaving may be fashioned into hats and purses. Arborek, a popular tourist destination in West Papua has its wicker production.
When visiting this town, you can witness the ladies producing circular hats of different colors, often used to cover the face and body from the sun when going to the beach. Mrs. Mambrasar, who is also from Arborek, pioneered the design of this headgear, which eventually became a defining characteristic of this hamlet.
9. Fruit and Wooden Seed Earrings
The next West Papua info about the arts and crafts you should know is West Papua’s earrings. These earrings primarily consist of fruit seeds and wood. Many indigenous habitats in West Papua use them as an accessory to beautify their appearance.
10. Crocodile Skin Crafts
Ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of rupiah, the price range for this item is pretty pricey. Nevertheless, crocodile skin crafts have their market share.
They turn crocodile skin into various goods, including wallets, totes, belts, and footwear.
11. Pandan Hat from Raja Ampat
The Raja Ampat Pandan hat has a high price for its lengthy and complex production method. Before removal the thorn, they chop and pulverized forest pandanus thorns.
Later, they cooked the leaves to make them malleable. Upon becoming malleable, the pandan leaves are sun-dried till they become white. After further drying, the material was ready to be woven. A hat is completed using ropes and nails and may be carried as a keepsake.
Conclusion
Hopefully, the West Papua info about local arts and culture above may awaken our eyes that West Papua’s culture is beyond the money, but also to maintain West Papua’s culture.
