If we don’t have culture, we won’t have self-esteem and other people won’t recognize us. With culture we will become strong.
Manokwari, W Papua (ANTARA) – A cultural carnival was organized in West Papua on Saturday to commemorate the 77th anniversary of Indonesia’s independence and promote unity.
The one-day carnival can also work as a means to introduce a variety of cultures, which can motivate people to learn about different cultures in West Papua, Women’s Association (Finya Maybrat) spokesperson Yosephus Kosamakh said here on Saturday. .
“If we don’t have culture, we won’t have self-esteem and other people won’t recognize us. With culture, we will become strong,” she said.
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Kosamakh said she and 13 of her friends came from Maybrat district to participate in the cultural carnival in Manokwari district, wearing traditional woven cloth, which is usually given as dowry.
In addition, they also wore beaded necklaces, which their ancestors exchanged for other goods, she said.
“The exchange depended on an agreement between the interested person and the owner of the goods who would make the exchange,” she said.
The cultural carnival could be held without having to wait for a momentum such as Independence Day, she noted. It can be held to gather all national cultures in one forum.
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She described the carnival as important, saying that the younger generations should learn about their culture.
Meanwhile, the head of the cultural section of the West Papua Office of Culture and Tourism, Herman Sayori, said the carnival aimed to promote the protection, preservation and respect of the existing culture in the province.
Cultural development is mandated in law no. 5 of 2017 for cultural advancement. Cultural progress aims to confirm culture as a pillar of the nation’s identity and support economic self-reliance and political sovereignty.
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