By Elisabeth Karma
Did you know that Numfor Island has the nickname ‘mios abrui’. It means green bean island, referring to one of the typical plants on this island. In Numfor, green beans can be planted twice a year. Usually in March and August.
In February and March 2025, the Fyarkin Group together with communities in Saribi Village cleared land and planted green beans. Starting from the last week of May to early June, we are still harvesting the results. In addition to green beans, we also plant various other types of beans, such as: large red beans, small red beans, yellow beans, and black beans.
The majority of the harvest is for our own consumption. Green beans are usually processed into porridge as many people are familiar with. Traditionally, we also process it using other food ingredients. There is peanut papeda, which is sago porridge mixed with green beans or red beans. There is war-war abrui, which is cassava starch mixed with coconut milk and beans. There is also a combination of beans with rice. In essence, we process beans using the ingredients we have in our own village.
Marlon Tohatta, the YP3SP facilitator, in the previous upload told about the traditions of our parents in the past. That they used to plant together, starting from clearing the land to harvesting. In fact, this kind of spirit has begun to wane. Unknowingly, we have been formed into an individualistic society. We don’t want to continue like this. So, the Fyarkin Group together with communities in Kampung Saribi are trying to revive the habits that were practiced by our parents in the past. One of them is to revive the spirit of togetherness and mutual cooperation.
In Numfor, peanut plants face natural challenges. Unpredictable weather and grasshopper attacks threaten crop failure. We noticed that lightning attacks can also cause peanuts to harden like stone.
By the way, did you know, in Numfor there are taboos that must be obeyed in the planting process. One of them is that pregnant women and women who are menstruating are not allowed to participate in planting activities. It is said that if violated, the garden harvest will be small, and the peanuts will not grow well. Are there any myths related to farming activities in your area? Come, come, share!
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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