TheJakartaPost

Please Update your browser

Your browser is out of date, and may not be compatible with our website. A list of the most popular web browsers can be found below.
Just click on the icons to get to the download page.

Jakarta Post

Auction exhibition brings art of Papua’s Kamoro tribe to Jakarta

News Desk (The Jakarta Post)
Jakarta
Sat, December 7, 2019

Share This Article

Change Size

Auction exhibition brings art of Papua’s Kamoro tribe to Jakarta The Kamoro tribe’s cultural exhibition is open to the public until Saturday. (Lontar Foundation/File)

A

n exhibition at Darmawangsa Residence in South Jakarta brings the art of Papua’s Kamoro tribe to the capital and lets visitors place bids on sculptures and plait work from Indonesia’s far east.

Initiated by the Lontar Foundation in collaboration with the Maramowe Weaiku Kamorowe Foundation and gold and copper mining company PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI), the event displays the culture and traditional art of the Kamoro people, a tribe residing in the southern coastal area of Papua in Mimika regency, adjacent to PTFI’s work area, in a bid to promote local culture and the spirit of gotong royong (mutual cooperation).

The tribe is known for its rituals, traditional ceremonies, dances, handicraft and beautiful sculptures. Many of the sculptures, including shields, paddles, sago bowls, drums and everyday items, are displayed in the exhibition, as well as traditional handicraft creations, such as wemawe (human-shaped statues) and mbitoro (totems made for the ancestors).

“The art and culture of the Kamoro tribe have become potential tourist [attractions] in Mimika regency. The quality of Kamoro sculptures is as good as the Asmat carvings. The synergy between the stakeholders in Timika and the development of Kamoro sculptures as seen in this event can provide economic benefits to the Kamoro people,” said Muhammad Thoha, head of the Youth, Sports and Tourism Agency in Mimika, in a statement. 

Read also: Indonesia issues map acknowledging lands of indigenous peoples

An auction for 100 works of art was also held during the event. The founder of the Maramoke Weaiku Kamorowe Foundation, Luluk Intarti, said half of the profits gained would be returned to the sculptors and the other half would go to Kamoro’s art development and preservation program. 

“Kamoro artwork is one of the adhesives of Indonesian diversity. Hopefully, people can get to know more about Indonesia’s cultural treasures through this event," said PTFI president Tony Wenas.

The Kamoro tribe’s cultural exhibition commenced on Thursday and will be open to the public until Saturday. (vel/kes)

{

Your Opinion Matters

Share your experiences, suggestions, and any issues you've encountered on The Jakarta Post. We're here to listen.

Enter at least 30 characters
0 / 30

Thank You

Thank you for sharing your thoughts. We appreciate your feedback.