Do you know how much many ethnicity in Indonesia? Based on survey in 2010 by Badan Pusat Statistik Indonenia ( Central Bureau of Statistics Republic of Indonesia), there are 1.340 ethnicity in the whole country from Sabang Island, to Merauke, Papua. It amazed me every time I have to think that people could actually get along together to form a nation with lot of diversities.
But this was one of my longest, my first longest journey to reach another culture. I decided to go to Papua, Indonesia and write my essay about them for Communication between Culture study at University. I was excited but it took lots of my energy since there were two flight transit in Makassar, Sulawesi (Celebes) or you could also using another airlines to transit in Denpasar, Bali.
It was a good day, the sun was warmer than Jakarta, even probably hotter. I was there to witness the welcoming ceremony because one of the local bishop came and wanted to blessed the new church that donated and built by international business practice's corporate social responsibility agenda. The little things they did for their business sustainability to the community in Zenegi.
When you're stranger, they will not let you enter the village just like that. But actually you can do that in modern era, since they're not that stiff anymore with the traditional rule about coming and going. But this was actually a big ceremony, because they've been expected the bishop to come as a guest and made all of the preparation for the ceremony event.
The bishop was welcome by the tribe. One of them crossed the face of the bishop with whiting as a symbol that his presence is accepted.
The ladies gathered together in formation and danced as the part of the ceremony using the minimal attributes from leaves. And sang a song in their language.
Sometimes ignorant people would just refer Marind the same as Malind. The fact is that they both are related but not exactly the same. Malind is the called for the pure blood one, while Marind is mixed between Malind with other ethnics.
Frequently asked question by my friends would be, "You're not scared of being alone with the indigenous people in Papua? At first before arrived I wonder what would possibly happen to me if they weren't welcome enough or if they're naked. Yes, I was so afraid if I had to face people naked. But when I landed in Merauke, at Mopah International Airport, I notice that indigenous people who lived in Merauke City wasn't really untouched by the westernization culture. Some of them prefer shirtless but still choose to covered their private parts.
And in the Merauke City, more and more people came from other city and other provinces. Most of the indigenous people like Marind, lived in the beaches area and (or) in a highland area by the rain forest.
Far from Zenegi, I visited some of Marind in Buti, Samkai Village. Lead me to Mr. Mathias Nauwauche and people around the neighborhood. We've spend our afternoon talked and exchanged a few laughed and my personal admiration toward this man. He didn't do all the talking, the younger man beside him named Kaiser (if I'm not wrong) said that Mr Mathias is one of the smartest people live in the area. He always help the people in their community regarding electricity issue, selling price issue in fish market, irrigation problem and some of technical issue and social issue as well.
He wasn't the head of the tribe for Marind people in that area, but he was one of the key person they asked for advise if something went wrong. He studied in Institut Teknologi Bandung (Bandung's Institute of Technology), who is welcome enough in Indonesia until now. He studied Agriculture and Irrigation and there was a time he spend his youth to study and work in Singapore, but when he was young there wasn't enough support for him to continue his study. So, decided to go home and just served and blessed the people with his knowledge.
One of the little surprise from this trip was, Marind people still chewing their betel. It doesn't matter if you an elder or the next generation, they really knew how to chew. So, don't be surprise if you see that they have that 'bloody smile'. Chewing betel makes your teeth strong and red, they said. I wouldn't try.
The journey ended after we took picture together with Marind people by their terrace. I was welcome and I couldn't thank them more because they're truly nice people to be around when you live in small community, far from the city lights and everything else. (YL)
All pictures are taken by Yoan Letsoin
Bahasa Indonesia and in depth version of the article could be find in here