Indonesia has a diverse culture that could not compare with other nations. From local music, traditional dance, and local food to its local tradition. What is more admirable is that each of them has a unique culture that is not the same. This also applied to Papuan cultural elements.
Papuan culture is unique and different from any other culture around it. They are way more diverse and attractive, from local music to special traditions. Knowing their culture, diversity, and traditions could enlarge our knowledge of the world outside. Hence, some of the Papuan cultures are known in the domestic and International world.
Papuan Cultural Elements
To understand a culture, you must understand its home. This includes their traditions, their way of life and also their music if it’s possible. Knowing and learning this, you will earn much more than you could imagine. Here are some of the Papuan cultural elements you should know.
1. Traditional Music Instruments
Papuan traditional music is rather strong in terms of its instruments. You will learn that there are many fascinating tools to make some music in this region. These instruments are usually used as part of traditional dance. People will go along dancing their signature dance steps using the music from these tools.
Wood was a common material used in many of the instruments. Examples are Tufa, Yi, Triton, and Fuu.
Tifa is a musical instrument with quite the same feature as a drum. Yi has the same function as a flute. Likewise, Triton’s clamshells make a different sound compared to each other.
You cannot use this musical tool for casual occasions. They use these instruments only for certain cultural activities that are important. The rule is to prevent traditional instruments from getting damaged or dirty. Besides these instruments, other traditional tools are preserved and used in Papua.
2. Traditional Dances as Papuan cultural elements
Every culture would have some traditional dance, to begin with, like the Papuan people. Every tribe and different region in Papua has different unique dance steps. These dances usually contain some meaning that is relevant to their life. They also did not perform some of these dances like in the old days. However, there are certain cultural occasions that they will exclude.
Some people performed their traditional dance to embrace a figure to welcome them to their place. These traditional dance moves also depicted their life or the heroic action of their ancestors. It is known by the world and successfully preserved for the young generation.
3. Traditional Ceremony
Like many other cultures, Papua has traditional ceremonies preserved from their ancestors. These ceremonies usually are the main attractions for new people exploring Papuan culture. It is fascinating and mind-blowing.
Many ceremonies are being held for certain reasons. It is also usually from different cultural tribes since Paoua has more than 300 tribes alone.
Some of it is still regularly done in the tradition of welcoming their guests. This tradition is accompanied by the performance of traditional regional dance and musical instruments. This root of tradition is to keep the guest entertained and happy when entering the region of Papua. This means their form of hospitality towards strangers.
Wrapping Up
To be able to learn this diverse culture could be your way to acknowledge that Indonesia is indeed a big country. Papuan cultural elements, such as its traditions, music, or local food, could be our way to understand the diversity and its richness. Do not forget that this culture has been around even years and decades before our parents. So respect it and love it.
