By Josua Majefat
Josua Majefat, a young Imian man born in Kampung Haha (2000) speaks to his father via telephone in Imian. As far as he can remember, there are no more than 15 young people his age in the village who still understand their mother tongue. Only a small number actively speak, while most others understand passively.
“For me, the mother language must be revived among the current generation and youth. Don’t let this mother language disappear. My friends of the same generation—especially in the Imian tribe—are more focused on using Indonesian,” said Josua.
There are at least seven mother language in South Sorong, West Papua Province, which are recorded as still being used today. This conversation is an example of the use of the Imian language. In addition to Imian, there are also Fkour, Kais, Kokodo, Puragi-Saga, Salkma, and Tehit Mlakya. Of course, there is still Indonesian used in public interaction spaces, especially in urban areas.
The Imian language is spoken by the people in Haha Village and Woloin Village in Seremuk District; in Sawiat Village, Sawiat District. It is also spoken in Wensok, Sodrofoyo, Eles, Sfakyo, Sasnek, and Wendi Villages. Meanwhile, Klamit Village to the west of Sawiat speaks the Salkma language. Wersar Village to the south of Sawiat speaks the Tehit Mlakya language. To the north of Sawiat is Pasir Putih Village, which speaks the Fkour language.
There is also the Kais language spoken in Kais Village, Kais District; the Kokoda language in Tarof Village, Kokoda District; and the Puragi-Saga language in Puragi and Saga Villages, Metemani District.
Josua hopes that the education curriculum will accommodate the mother language as taught in schools. Also, the habit of returning to the family, so that the younger generation can help to preserve the mother language.
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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