By Bernadie Jamora/Samdhana Institute

By Reah Mae M. Ompigan, Unuten

From intellectuals to artists and humanists, West Papua Province is home to rich cultural diversity and artistic expression. Much of this culture can be traced back to ancestral knowledge, passed down from generation to generation. These traditions are alive and well in Papua’s dance, music, fairy tales, traditional clothing and various handicrafts, including noken (woven bags), batik and other woven fabrics.

Sanggar Seni Budaya Alam Semesta Selemkai (SALSES – Selemkai Arts and Culture Centre), is a community consisting of young people who are active in preserving arts and culture, while also managing eco tourism in Kampung Klabili (Klabili village). Also known as Kalabili (from the language of the Moi Kelim sub-tribe), the village can be found in the Selemkai district of Tambrau regency in West Papua. 

Women20 (W20) held the third meeting in Manokwari, West Papua on Thursday (8/6) and Friday (8/6). This meeting raised the themes of rural women, women with disabilities, and micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
 
Samdhana, as part of a development partner in West Papua, is committed to supporting the event.
 

Frequency of Love: This was one of the reasons Ruwi would never get tired to go on a #Nokening journey, because it never ended with a short love story. Everyone who is involved in #Nokening journey remain in the same frequency, what’s the Frequency? It’s the frequency of love He said.  “I then shared that I experienced the beauty and richness of forest, rivers, swamp, the delicious food of sago, tubers, fish, banana, and so many more, and most importantly the friendliness, the openness, the welcoming, the joyful, the artfulness of and the singing and dancing Papuans communities”.

Tengkawang, is an endemic plant of West Kalimantan, a species from the Shorea Sp, Depterocarpacae family that can only be found in Kalimantan rain forests. The tengkawang tree in general, harvest once in 3 to 4 years, but in the Pikul Pangajid Customary Forest area in Melayang hamlet, Bengkayang Regency, West Kalimantan there is a type of Tengkawang Layar that can be harvest yearly.