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A historical approach to understand Papua
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Let's talk: Co-author Tirtosudarmo (center), with book reviewer FX Domini BB Hera (right), a Malang State University historian, was among those present at the book review at the university’s Kafe Pustaka recently. (JP/Nedi Putra AW)
Papua remains a challenging issue for Indonesia’s sovereignty.
Some circles regard the cultural difference between Papua and the rest of Indonesia to be the main reason behind some Papuans’ decade-long attempt to disintegrate and become a separate nation.
A book now attempts to deal with the troubled historical relationship between Papua and Indonesia.
The 241-page book, Jejak Kebangsaan: Kaum Nasionalis di Manokwari dan Boven Digoel (Vestiges of Nationalism: Nationalists in Manokwari and Boven Digoel), is made up of two parts and nine chapters.
A team of writers –– Soewarsono, Herman Hidayat, Ana Windarsih, Thung Ju Lan, Rosmaida Sinaga, Langgeng Sulistyo and Riwanto Tirtosudarmo –– compiled the materials presented in the book.
The cover of this book boldly exposes the face of Haji Misbach from Solo, Central Java, famously known as the Haji Merah (Red Haj) for being a prominent communist-leaning Islamic figure. Haji Misbach was among those isolated in Papua along with other nationalists, such as Mohammad Hatta and Sutan Sjahrir, during the years of rising Indonesian nationalism in the early 20th century.
