Exploring the Indigenous Fashion and Cultural Heritage of the Walak Tribe in Mamberamo Tengah, Papua Pegunungan

Napius Kogoya; Manase Halitopo; Piter Mabel

doi:10.55606/lencana.v4i1.6390

Authors

Napius Kogoya Sekolah Tinggi Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Abdi Wacana Wamena
Manase Halitopo Sekolah Tinggi Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Abdi Wacana Wamena
Piter Mabel Sekolah Tinggi Keguruan dan Ilmu Pendidikan Abdi Wacana Wamena

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55606/lencana.v4i1.6390

Keywords:

Cultural Heritage, Mamberamo Tengah, Papua Pegunungan, Traditional Attire, Walak Tribe

Abstract

This study aims to examine the forms, meanings, and functions of the indigenous fashion of the Walak Tribe as part of cultural heritage in Mamberamo Tengah, Papua Pegunungan. This research employed a qualitative approach with an ethnographic design. Data were collected through direct observation, semi-structured interviews, and documentation involving 20 purposively selected informants, including traditional leaders, elders, craftsmen, community members, and youth. Data analysis was conducted using an interactive model consisting of data reduction, data display, and conclusion drawing, supported by triangulation to ensure data validity. The findings show that Walak traditional fashion consists of various clothing items, ornaments, and accessories made from natural materials used in customary ceremonies and cultural activities. Each element of traditional attire carries symbolic meanings related to identity, social status, bravery, and the relationship between humans, nature, and ancestors. Furthermore, traditional fashion functions as a cultural identity marker and a means of intergenerational transmission of cultural values, despite challenges from modernization and social change.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Anggraeni, N. C., Salim, T. A., & Wibowo, M. P. (2024). Preservation of indigenous knowledge in Indonesia: Cultural conservation effort. Khizanah al-Hikmah: Jurnal Ilmu Perpustakaan, Informasi, dan Kearsipan, 12(2), 228–238. https://doi.org/10.24252/kah.v12i2a1

Avianto, B. N., Marjanto, D. K., Ulumuddin, I., Sudrajat, U., & Julizar, K. (2021). Ethnotechnology Noken-Papua as carrying capacity for enhancing local economic development. International Journal of Social Economics, 48(10), 1476–1491. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJSE-12-2020-0819

Halitopo, M., & Kogoya, N. (2024). Indigenous fashion of semantic at Dani tribe in Wamena Papua Highland. https://doi.org/10.22515/iccl.v2i1.9605

Halitopo, M., Kogoya, N., & Maitimu, L. S. (2025). The structural changes in the use of present indefinite tense among Dani, Lani, and Yali language speakers. Journal of English Language and Pedagogy, 3(2), 1–11. https://doi.org/10.51826/jelpa.v3i2.1559

Hall, S., Evans, J., & Nixon, S. (2021). Representation: Cultural representations and signifying practices. Sage Publications.

Kadir, A. (2023). Wearing koteka in public spaces: A symbol of the hardened cultural identity in Papua. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-174-6_7

Kanem, V., & Norris, A. (2018). An examination of the noken and indigenous cultural identity: Voices of Papuan women. Journal of Cultural Analysis and Social Change. https://doi.org/10.20897/jcasc/86189

Kogoya, N., & Halitopo, M. (2024a). Function of the ripe rattan as the materials of fire-making: The traditional approach in Lani, Papua highland. https://doi.org/10.22515/iccl.v2i1.9606

Kogoya, N., & Halitopo, M. (2024b). Semiotic of indigenous fashion at Anggruk Yali tribe in Yahukimo Papua.

Le, T.-H., Dang, P., & Bui, T. (2024). Towards sustainable products and services: The influences of traditional costumes in promoting sustainable fashion. Sustainability, 16(22). https://doi.org/10.3390/su16229800

Mambiew, A. O., Frank, S. A. K., & Yuliana, Y. (2023). Budaya berbagi ruang kehidupan dan kemajemukan hukum masyarakat Mamberamo Raya. Cenderawasih: Jurnal Antropologi Papua, 4(2), 80–102. https://doi.org/10.31957/jap.v4i2.3633

Maryone, R. (2021). Perhiasan tradisional suku (di) Sarmi dan suku Momuna Papua: Pendekatan etnoarkeologis. Cenderawasih: Jurnal Antropologi Papua, 2(1), 32–47. https://doi.org/10.31957/jap.v2i1.1959

Pikei, T., & Sihombing, A. A. (2023). Noken local wisdom as representation of God's love. Al-Qalam, 29(1), 102. https://doi.org/10.31969/alq.v29i1.1254

Rosyidah, W. F., Suhendra, C. D., & Lion Ferdinand, L. F. (2026). Pemanfaatan algoritma Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) untuk klasifikasi jenis noken. AITI, 23(1), 89–105. https://doi.org/10.24246/aiti.v23i1.89-105

Runtuboi, Y. Y., et al. (2023). The indigenous art of orchid noken making by the Mee Tribe in the highland of Central Mountains, Indonesian Papua. Biodiversitas, 24(7), 3881–3890. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d240727

UNESCO. (2023). Safeguarding intangible cultural heritage. UNESCO Publishing.

UNESCO. (2024). Indigenous peoples and cultural heritage preservation. UNESCO Publishing.

Wenda, Y., Rumainum, J., Mambor, S., & Wenda, P. (2025). Socio-cultural dynamics and identity in contemporary Papuan communities. International Journal of Education and Social Science Studies, 1(2), 77–83. https://doi.org/10.60153/ijesss.v1i2.195

Yikwa, P., Kogoya, N., & Halitopo, M. (2025). Lendawi (the Lanny tribe lamentation): Its structure, types, and socio-cultural values. Multidisciplinary Indonesian Center Journal, 2(3), 2467–2474. https://doi.org/10.62567/micjo.v2i3.789