By Hosea Mirino
At 13.00, the scorching sun was accompanied by beautiful clumps of clouds in the sky of Numfor Island, precisely in Saribi Village, Orkeri District, Papua Province.
I have been in this village for four days. I ate, slept, heard stories from the villagers. Also saw and felt how they live their lives.
I also observed the activities of the Fyarkin community in this village. The word fyarkin is a Biak language, which means ‘to be fostered, to be led in a better direction. The Fyarkin Community has 11 members and has a strong organizational structure.
That afternoon the atmosphere was lively at the house of sister Elisabeth Karma, who is familiarly called Ka Elis. She is the Chairperson of the Fyarkin Community. Suddenly the aroma of stir-fried vegetables and grilled fish wafted from her kitchen. Immediately I turned towards the direction the aroma came from.
“Little brother Oce, let’s eat,” said sister Elis. My gaze was fixed on where the food was arranged.
“Sister Elis, there are a lot of fish today. Fresh and fresh!” I exclaimed happily.
“Yes. We Fyarkin in Saribi Village have implemented the sea sasi again. In the past, our aunts and grandmothers used this tradition to ensure that we have the sea, fish, and other marine products so that they always have them. Then, if there are traditional events, we still have fish stocks available. The old saying was: take enough. That’s it,” explained sister Elis.
As I devoured the grilled fish and stir-fried papaya leaf vegetables, this conversation immediately made me reflect. Wise old traditions like sasi are a way and space that elders use to have a dialogue with nature. The sasi tradition is a way of thanking, protecting, and caring for the food sources that nature provides for the sake of survival.
From sister Elis, I learned that sasi can last from six months to 10 years. The Fyarkin Community is determined that the five districts on Numfor Island (Orkeri District, Bruyadosi District, East Numfor District, West Numfor District, Poiru District) will revive old traditions such as sasi, for a better future and civilization.
Contact us
Yayasan Pengembangan Pelatihan untuk Perubahan Sosial di Tanah Papua
(YP3SP)
Jalan Karya Tanah Hitam Permai
Abepura Jayapura
Papua
Email: info@papuatransformation.org
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