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Apen Beyeren ritual showcased at Biak Munara Wampasi Festival 2017
Biak Munara Wampasi (BMW) Festival 2017 showcased one of Biak’s long-held ritual called Apen Beyeren (walking on burning charcoal).
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Biak Munara Wampasi (BMW) Festival 2017 showcased one of Biak’s long-held ritual called Apen Beyeren (walking on burning charcoal). (Shutterstock/File)
T
housands flocked at Nirmala Beach Hotel in Biak, Papua on Saturday, July 1 to see the opening of Biak Munara Wampasi (BMW) Festival 2017. The festival showcased one of Biak’s long-held ritual called Apen Beyeren (walking on burning charcoal).
Twelve men and women in traditional clothes took part in the 10-minute ritual. The leader of the group first began with an opening prayer, the first man then took the first step on the burning charcoal that was spread out in the middle of the field, followed by a woman.
“Not everyone can do this, one needs to have a clear heart and mind. Pregnant ladies and those who are in their period are not allowed to participate,” said Biak regent Thomas Alfa Edison.
Read also: Biak, the hidden paradise
“Apen Beyeren was first initiated during a family traditional ceremony where the elders prepared barapen or charcoal for a communal cooking ritual,” said tourism ministry's archipelago tourism marketing development deputy Esthy Reko Astuti.
Tourism ministry's head of cultural promotion Wawan Gunawan added that barapen took up a huge area and that in turn made it difficult to pick up the charcoal located at the center. This problem then prompted the elders to discover sindia leaves, “These leaves were rubbed on their feet to prevent them from feeling the heat and getting blisters,” said Gunawan.
Aside from Apen Beyeren, there are also other activities and events featured throughout the four-day festival such as Snap Mor (fishing wih spears), 1,000 Tifa (traditional musical instrument of Papua) attraction, Wor and Pancar (Biak’s traditional dance) parade. (asw)
