West Papua has a lot of uniqueness that is rare in other places. Some of the uniqueness that some uniqueness ranging from culture and natural resources. People from various Papuan tribes have so many traditions related to beliefs.
Starting from rituals to traditional Papuan ceremonies are still carried out today. All traditions are carried out from nuances of joy, marriage, death to other extreme rituals. Papua is indeed famous for the characteristics of traditions and rituals that are still attached to the community.
These ceremonies are carried out for the Papua region to commemorate important days that are very sacred and have a slightly mystical meaning. However, not all traditional ceremonies performed have mystical values, some traditional ceremonies are carried out as symbols only.
The traditional ceremony carried out by the Papuan people has its own uniqueness that not all regions understand its meaning. Some ceremonies use tumbal as offerings for their ancestors and predecessors.
The tribes on the island of Papua have their own regional beliefs and customs. Because West Papua is still in the form of tribes, the strong customs still feel very distinctive in this area. The visitors who come here are amazed by some of the rituals.
The Traditional Wor Ceremony of the Breed Is a form of Gratitude and Asking for Protection
The breed is one of the tribes in Papua and is scattered in various areas of Papua. The community is known to still hold strong customs from generation to generation. This is intended to maintain the legacy of their ancestors from long ago.
The first ceremony performed by the Biak community is wor ceremony which can be interpreted as a traditional ceremony related to the religious life of the Biak tribe. This is shown from the life philosophy of the tribal people, namely without a ceremony, we will die.
One of the functions of the ceremony held by the community is every change in a person’s social role. Wor is a mandatory ceremony to beg, invite and ask for protection from the power of nature.
Wor must be held by every nuclear family with the aim of asking the authorities to ask for the protection of their children in West Papua. Therefore, wor is done to accompany the growth of children from the womb to death.
This wor tradition is often practiced in the form of traditional ceremonies or songs in other cultures. In the form of ceremonies, this tradition is a very sacred ceremony because people believe it can protect someone in every transition of the life cycle.
Because it involves the life cycle, the implementation of the ceremony accompanies every stage of human development and growth. Starting from the womb, birth, childhood, adulthood, and marriage, to become parents and finally die.
Tribal Ceremonial Customs in West Papua
The wedding ceremony in each tribe and region may be different. There is a Minang custom where the wedding ceremony is done by buying a prospective groom, there is also a Sulawesi custom that uses panaik as a dowry for the bride.
In Papua itself, especially in the breed, they have their own marriage ceremony. There are two kinds of ways to apply for a prospective bride, namely with a gun or a match made by both parents for the bride and groom from childhood.
In proposing to the girl, the man brings a kaken or necklace and beaded bracelet as a symbol of introduction. If the application is accepted, the woman will also give a kaken as a symbol of acceptance.
The marriage tradition of the breeding community in ancient times used kamfar as a dowry or dowry. Kamfar itself is a silver bracelet or even porcelain originating from China. Preparations for the wedding ceremony are carried out the day before by eating.
The climax of this wedding ceremony was carried out at the groom’s residence. The bride-to-be will be brought by her family to the groom’s house after making up. After that, the dowry was handed over as a sign that the woman’s family had delivered it.
Some of the Customs of the West Papua tribe which Have Become a Hereditary Tradition
The hereditary tradition inherited by the ancestors of the Papuan tribe must be passed on to their children and grandchildren later. They really appreciate the traditions and memorial services that have been carried out for a long time.
• Nasu Palek Traditions
Nasu palek itself is a tradition of the Dani tribe where this ceremony is to commemorate the Dani tribe who are in mourning. Dani people also carry out this tradition to express sorrow and respect by cutting off part of the earlobe.
• Snap Mor Tradition
Snap mor is a tradition of catching fish together using nets or kalawai which can be done by the tribal community. This activity is carried out in shallow sea areas at low tide marked by the east wind and dominant rainfall.
• Asmat death rituals
This ritual is carried out by the Asmat tribe, the largest tribe in West Papua. The Asmat believe that if someone dies without being killed, then a baby dies after being born. However, the death of an adult can bring them deep sorrow.
They put the bodies of adults on para (woven bamboo) and do not bury the bodies. In addition, they can also put the corpse on a mortar boat with some provisions and release it in the river until it is carried by the current to the sea.
There are a lot of unusual traditions on the island of Papua. Many people think it is strange and unusual, but the people of this area still carry out rituals handed down to maintain traditions in West Papua.
