1) Papuan students start wearing 'koteka' to school
2) West Papua skulls come home
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1) Papuan students start wearing 'koteka' to school
Jakarta Post
- | Mon, June 4, 2018 | 06:12 pm
A number of university students in Jayapura have begun to wear the traditional Papuan koteka (penis gourd) to campus, as reported by tempo.co.
Devio Tekege, a student at Cenderawasih University at Jayapura, Papua, reportedly launched the movement last week. Devio said that the unfamiliar atmosphere on campus had prompted him to wear the koteka. He became more confident as he wore it. “I was able to relax and I could follow the classes,” he said.
His koteka-wearing friends stated doing the same thing as it made them more confident as Papuans
Among the koteka-wearing students are Hoseri Edowai and Idewereknak Arabo, who go to Umel Mandiri Law School. They said Devio inspired them to don the traditional article of attire, and taking it a bit further, they also use a noken (woven bag) to carry their books.
When one of his teachers reprimanded his choice of attire, Albertus, a student at the Jayapura Science and Technology University, replied, “I am wearing my traditional costume. Is it so different from the people who wear batik, also a traditional costume?” (wng)
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2) West Papua skulls come home
- 04 June 2018
- 04:44
- News
THE Australian government returned four decorated ancestral skulls to the ambassador of Indonesia, Yohanes Kristiarto Soeryo Legowo, at a function in Canberra last week.
"The Australian government is pleased to return these culturally significant decorated skulls from the Dayan and Asmat people to Indonesia, as part of our ongoing efforts to combat the international illegal trade in cultural property," Australian Arts Minister Mitch Fifield said at the Indonesian Embassy where the handover took place.
Legowo said the gesture was testament to the close law enforcement and cultural ties between Indonesia and Australia.
"The return of cultural property is not only a vivid example of our best practice, but it also signifies that Indonesia and Australia indeed always attach great importance to the protection of cultural heritages," Legowo said.
"Having noticed the growing global trends of illicit trafficking and selling of cultural property with many new forms in recent years, the return ceremony should also serve as an impetus for us to strengthen our cooperation to safeguard cultural treasures and to curb illicit activities of this kind."
The traditionally decorated skulls, two belonging to the Dayak people of Kalimantan and two belonging to the Asmat people of West Papua, were each presented in a special box crafted by onservators from the National Museum of Australia to ensure safe storage and transport.
The Arts Ministry says the artefacts provide a glimpse into the past where ornamental human skulls were used in traditional rituals. The Asmat people decorated skulls with seeds and carved sea shell rings, while the Dayak people decorated skulls with intricate engravings.
The ongoing effort to prevent the illegal trade in human remains and cultural artefacts is undertaken in Australia under the Protection of Movable Cultural Heritage Act 1986.
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