PASKOMARAOT

                                         By: David Jimanipits and Dewi Linggasari 

 Is a basic belief in the Asmat people's lives, that all of the big tree that thrives in the forest normally inhabited spirits. Spirit - the spirit has two characters, there are good some are bad and wishes to destroy human life. Paskamoraot consists of fitting word which means there was an iron wood spirit kamoraot is beautiful daughters. Paskamoraot means ironwood beautiful daughter. So, the story begins when the spirit of beautiful ironwood daughter wants to be a companion to live one Beorpit young man who is good at hunting in that era. 

Mr. Jupuu of Kampung As the story begins: in a village which is exactly a dashing and handsome young man, named Beorpit. The handsome young man living with friends - peers in a very long house - Jee - or Yae. In this house, young people who do not have a spouse accommodated and nurtured attitude. Similarly Beorpit and friends - his friends, they undergo the same training as any young man in the village. Every day they practiced hunting small animals such as birds manifold. When you are proficient they can switch hunt wild animals.In order to achieve a high level of proficiency, a young man is not only take a week or a month, but many - years until he received the designation Jimaripit - artisan hunting - Jimaripit are people who have been good at hunting that come from the people around the village. He has been expertly kill large animals repeatedly and the results enjoyed by the people who settled in the village.

 At the roadside village where Beorpit always passing by, back and forth, ironwood tree grew Paskamoraot place to stay. In the world of heaven Paskamoraot is a beautiful woman, she was beautiful. Once upon a time, a beautiful girl heaven it felt so attracted to Beorpit, the handsome hunter who always passing by, coming and going past their homes every day, in order to train the skill to hunt small animals to switch hunting wild animals.The days turned into weeks, into months, year after year passed. Beorpit began to prove proficiency among their peers. Every day they do a race, there are times when Beorpit win by taking home lots of prey. However, there are times when he returns empty-handed-lose-defeat into a very disturbing mind at rest, because it is the youth always organize a strategy to win, to go home with always bringing home lots of prey.On a beautiful morning at dawn in the eastern sky  the solar light golden yellow, the young hunter back to train at the same time test their skills - each in the hunt. They sneak into the bush to scout then shoot game animals. Dusk when the sun slips slowly in copper red light in the western sky all hunters return to the village. 
  
Beorpit friends come home in a sense of pride, because it brings with it the results of game animals. However Beorpit returned empty-handed, he lost today, not even an animal can be shot.He did not give up, the next morning Beorpit sneak back into the forest. He devoted all his skills, then in the afternoon when he returned to the village, proved he won the race. Beorpit bring home the bird - birds in abundance. The prey that he handed out to the parents and friends - friends in the JEE, then giving it immediately creates familiarity in anatara all hunters. With the victory, the Beorpit really - really has matured and is worthy to have a life partner.However, who exactly is fit to be his life partner? Even Beorpit never know for sure. At that time, parents arranged marriages a secret. In contrast to the present time when every person the right to choose a spouse based on love without the strong influence of the parents. Beorpit be a legitimate part of life in the village, he grew follow strict traditional order.  

On the other hand secretly intent hearts Princess Iron Wood Spirit also getting harder. When hunting with your friends - for the umpteenth time, Beorpit shoots cassowary. Now the position is slightly higher among the other hunters. In the next he managed archery hunt wild boar, this success led to tribal elders began to consider, that it is time Beorpit earned the nickname Jimaripit - accomplished hunter - In some hunting elsewhere, quietly Princess Iron Wood had to take some birds Beorpit archery results. However, Beorpit never aware of this. He knows the number of prey decreases, but somehow disappeared where?One time when Beorpit walk - the road in the village, he found a tree that had sago flower. All sorts of birds gathered in the trees to suck the juice of sugar. Beorpit determined to make a hiding place in the tree in order to shoot the birds from close range. The work was completed for days - days. He set off in the morning and return in the afternoon, the hope is to be able to shoot a bird hide in large numbers. Finally ladder and cage finished, Beorpit has had a hiding place to shoot birds.Paskamoraot continued attention Beorpit busy making stairs and confinement, he concoct the right time to meet Beorpit expressed willingness as a wife. In the afternoon, after many days of sunlight while leaning, dim yellowish Beorpit complete the entire job. He stepped back while contemplating his work, imagine how much the number of birds which suck juice of sugar in the sago tree flower, he would shoot them all. Beorpit Jee arrived at greeted friends - his friends, they all wondered, why Beorpit always come home in the afternoon. However, never once brought a bird or other wild animal, while he was classified as a hunter.
 When his friend asked, "What exactly are you doing in the middle of the forest, while you never came up with a big game was in hand?"
 "I did go hunting into the forest, but had never met an animal too. Maybe there was a mistake that I did, "replied Beorpit."Keep trying and never give comrade", another hunter trying to entertain Beorpit. Examines a young man with a simper his support, he did not intend to tell about his work for days to make stairs and hiding places in the sago tree.That night fell the night before in a studded black stars, Beorpit sleep very well. Morning before the whole village awake, before dawn broke, the hunter has left the village, carrying and arrow. He goes into the woods toward the cage that he has made. Paskamoraot secretly followed her from behind, Beorpit never know. With agile hunters climb the ladder to reach the top of the cage he has made, slowly fajarpun broke. Dew which crystallized at the end of the leaves begin to fall to the ground. Beorpit set of arrows in any gaps that have been designed like arrangement of cannons and a variety of combat equipment arranged neatly in a castle, preparing to await the enemy.Dawn was broke, the sun looks as if the ball raksakasa are slowly, but surely moving towards the sky. Bird - birds start arriving crowded, long night as a trap for the birds so silent, the birds can not fly freely to make a living. But this morning to be the last for the life of a flock of birds, no one was safe from the hunter shooting arrows that had escaped from coaching for many - years in the JEE. While Princess Iron Wood Spirit has been in place hunting. Since morning Beorpit started archery bird, but Princess Iron Wood Spirit always takes a few birds then inserted into Kriya camshaft. Beorpit also be surprised, when picking up the birds - birds which die with arrows, there is always a matter of the missing. Where has most of the birds? The hunter wonders in the heart.Beorpit continues archery birds arrive until late afternoon, the sun has turned into a dull light that reassuring. Although few birds that successfully arrows do not fit, but Beorpit still get the great game. He went home to bring the prey into the village. Friends - Friends hunters and all the villagers were astonished to results obtained this young hunter. Bird - the bird is distributed to people, young and old who live with him in JEE. There was never bored Beorpit archery bird in a cage, while Paskamoraot - Princess Iron Wood Spirit - secretly confiscated most hunted bird Beorpit.Paskamoraot finally could not contain herself.One afternoon when Beorpit bring down birds - bird Paskamoraot Beorpit immediately hugged from behind. Beorpit, hunter was very surprised, she screamed as loud as - hardness, because of fear. Paskamoraot not concerned with shouts Beorpit, the stronger he hugged itusambil hunter said, "Beorpit, Dor Orema! Beorpit, I was a wife", it sounds so soft, shock Beorpit ease back, while all the tiredness vanished instantly. Beorpit as downed power enhancer liquid back, he was the voice replied.
 "Or Cacotoma? Oh who are you? "
 "Dor Coot A Pok A Son! Paskamoraota bam, I'm not a regular woman I Iron Wood's daughter. Dor Ora Bayuut Demin, I want to marry you ", Paskamoraot again spoke.Beorpit has grown, had also arrived while editing a girl to live together. Soft words Paskamoraot really thrilled him, especially the appearance of the princess. Beorpit never seen women as beautiful as this. And beautiful women that has obviously volunteered as seoranag wife. He was not dreaming. Who beminat not edit ayu princess nan have been willing to marry? Beorpit immediately replied firmly, "Aia, doremv akata, oh my beautiful wife!" Beorpit turn around and embrace the spirit of a woman who has now become a common man with closely. Now, the two embraced, accord and one heart."It has been a long time since I saw you walking in love, go home and go hunting. I intend to be your wife, "as stated Paskomeraot hearts content. Princess Iron Wood Spirit was not able to return to her world again, he proved loyalty by saying, "Or dora pene a bow? dor bamdee ora? "Are you going to get mad at me? I want to go home with you? "Beorpit replied "I receive you to stay with me today, and so on, as long as life is contained in the body. To this day I do not know who my future wife, now I have found it. Now you come with me back to the village, it was night ".Paskamoraot is gladly accepted the invitation Beorpit, he has long been in love with this young man. Tit for tat, Beorpit who do not know who the bride is actually now getting, a very pretty girl and love her. Beorpit not have to say for the second time to ask Paskamoraot back to his village. They both go hand in hand, carrying of prey back to the village, walked with certainty.Friends - friends who are in Jee Beorpit wonder and awe, the hunter and came back with a big win, the birds very much. There was a particularly of that victory, that Beorpit also get pretty girls, beautiful, and charming, he is Paskamoraot - female spirits, Princess Iron Wood - which has now become a man. Beorpit divide - away birds that catch the hunter friends, then he returned to his parents' house. He has had a life partner, parents Beorpit amazed by the presence of the beautiful girl, they were received as a child Paskamoraot law.Both were married by custom and then live together as a married couple in a happy mood. Perkawinannnya Paskomaraot following year after giving birth to a child, then their happiness to be complete. Happiness redundantly continue from year to year up to the end of life. In the village Beorpit remembered as a powerful human spirit can merried daughter ironwood.

Asmat Folklore

B I S A U T

Once upon a time, there was aa beautiful girl named Bisaut. She had a delicate skin, and shining eyes. Her body was tall and healthy. Bisaut was getting older and older, than she had to get married. Bisaut’s family made her marry a bad boy who had skin illness-Kaskado—that bad guy was also had a bad character. Bisaut was afraid of that man and wanted to refuse him, but she was not able to refuse him. That was a erry common thing happended in this place. A girl even did not have any rights to choose her life. Then, the marriage happened, and Bisaut felt the day that never been imagine before.

Bisaut was very beautiful, so that many people were falling in love with her. It made her husband was jealous, he wanted her to  know him only. Whenever, her husband went hunt, Bisaut was always captivated in her house. When he came home, he would lock up his wife. When he saw his wife wanted to go out from his house, he would e angry and stroke her badly. One again, Bisaut unable to help herself. She refuse this marriage before, but she had not authority to do that. Then, she wanted to release herself from her husband’s cruelty, unfortunately, she failed. She was locked up for days, weeks, and even months. Bisaut became so sad, skinny, and dull. She lost her beauty. She understood that having a family was not well as what she thought before. Bisaut could not stand tall anymore. This marriage was so irritating.

Several times later, Bisaut family heard about this condition. They wanted to see her. They arrived there when her husbnd went hunting. They were shocked when they saw Bisaut’s condition. “Oh god, what happen to you, my beautiful lady, we thought that you are happy in yor marriage. We re sorry for making you marry him. But don’t be worried, we shall help you then”. One of her family said that.

Then they are made strategy, when the husband was going out, th family came. This time, they wanted to take her with them. They needed to give much food, so that she was strong enought to go. They wanted to go far away from Bisaut’s husband.

Fortunately , when they did their journey, they met Fumiripits at his big house. Bisaut was falling in love with Fumiripits, and so did he. Then they had their marriage, and lived happily in that big house.

Bisaut’s husband was so shocked when he found his wife was not here. He searched Bisaut in every corner of the house, but his wife was not here. “Bisaut was gone, you did not treat her well, so that she went away ,” that was what his neightbor said. Listened to his neighbor statement, the husband cried loudly, he was sorry for Bisaut’s leaving. He was sorry for his mistakes. Whatever it was, regret would always come late. The man missed Bisaut so much, but his yearning would be endless yearning. That woman leaved her without any massage. Then, he realized that he was nothing without his wifw.

Kaspar Manmak and Dewi Linggasari

Asmat Folklore, 6

The Origin Of Yombot River

Along time ago, before people lived in this world, at a lower course of Uvit River lived sppirits whose names are Yombotsimbit and Jirpaut. This place had so many resource, such as sand, shells, snail and fish that lived in the water, while the birds flied above them, the jungle itself was so large.

I was said that there were a mother named Yiciwir and her daughter named Akat. They made a long journey to stay alive, Finally, they met Yombotsimbit and Jirpaut who lived in Uvit and they lived together.

On the other hand, the ancestor came in a boat to find out a living place. Theya are Yepemakap, Ewerakap, Dendewakap, Uwusakap, Amberepakap, and Sondewakap. When they saw places that are comfortable to live, they stopped there one by one. Finally, Yepemakap found a comfortable place to live and then he made a sign by an arrow at the river. Then Yepemakap followed Ewerakap and Dendewakap to wherever the place.

On the other hand, of the lower course of Uvit River, Yombotsimbit with his two wives, Jirpaut and Yiciwir, and also their daughter Akat lived together. One day, Yiciwir and akat cut off a sago palm tree to make sago. The top of the palm tree fall to visak tambuw roof, where Bindiw, a python lived.

Yiciwir was cutting sago when Akat taking pisis –cassava young leaves—to be devided into two. The soft part was called junum can be used for awer –pants—the hard part was token by Bindiw to be entered to canary tree root. Bindiw pulled the leaves one by one till the leaves used up.

Seeing that thing, Yiciwir took her ambus –a thing to cut sago, she said angry to Akat, “Akaaata.....domomaa....junum ya visak tambuw bem karuaaa... ya teserasana.....!! it means that, “Visak roof cannot be used as junum, there are a spirit who take care of it”.

Akat stood up, followed her mother, Yiciwir then told her daughter that there was a python named Bindiw who lived there, and he would come there tonight. Meanwhile , Bindiw took the junum made by Akat, he would ask Akat to be his wife, because she annoyed him. As the evening Bindiw went out to Akat and Yiciwir’s house. Bindiw entered the house, claimed to marry Akat.

Akat felt so afraid of him, she refused him. Bindiw got so angry, he bit her thigh. Although she was bitten by Bindiw, Akat still refused Bindiw. She din not want to be a wife of snake. Along the night, Bindiw teased Akat and her mother till their body are full of wound. Before dawn Bindiw came with the same claim, he wanted to marry Akat. Once again, she refused him. This refusal made Bindiw so angry, he tortured Akat and Yiciwir.

Yiciwir could not bear this anymore, so that she tried to find an exact way to deal with this case. Yiciwir then took a stone and then burn it along the night so that it became a fire. When Bindiw came at the night, Yiciwir said, “If you want to marry my daughter, you have to catch a pig, this is the condition”.

Bindiw agreed with that condition, he hunted for pig at dawn, he came back then with the pig at the afternoon. He gave the pig to Akat and Yiciwir as the condition. “Ayai, do dapuca inim a aftammewerena....thank you so much”, Yiciwir said.

Bindiw was so happy, he thought that his proposal was accepted by them. He thought be able to marry Akat. He never understood about Yiciwir’s strategy.

In the evening, Yiciwir called Bindiw and said, “Daputca dia.... my son in law, may you open up your mouth, I want to see your teeth”. So, Bindiw came to her and opened up his mouth. Yiciwir pretended to be astonished, her left hand was on his mouth and her right hand took the stone that was burning along the night  and seemed like a fire. Yiciwir told him to open up his mouth wider, and then Yiciwir took the hot stone in Bidiw’s mouth.

Bindiw was shocked, he felt so hot and injured, he run to the river course, almost passed Jet River. Yiciwir told him, “ya jet ause .... that is Jet River, on the west is Bao River”, Bindiw then followed his steps. When he was so tortured and crawled to go away, the rin was falling from the sky. The rain was  so heavy. The steps of Bindiw became pool that full of rain water. They heavy rain made him reach Sakan and Wuep. Bindiw died there. Bindiw’s steps became a river.

The next Yiciwir’s family visited her, they worried about Yiciwir and Akat because of the heavy rain happened yesterday. They came there by their boat.between Wuep and Sakan they looked like a sago tree which was thron away. When they became nearer with the thing they realized that the thing was not a sago tree but Bindiw, a python who died last night. They took and cut the python in order to eat that.

After taking the snake, Pombas, Ewower, Bisisnset, Bumburuw, and Korou continued their visit to Yiciwir’s house. They were shocked when they saw Yiciwir’s and Akat’s body were injured. They asked Yiciwir what was going on. Yiciwir answered the wound was made by Bindiw. They were bitten by Bindiw. Yiciwir then asked them, “did you have something along your way?”

They show Yiciwir the body of the snake which was cut. Yiciwir made fire roast Bindiw’s body. While roasting Bindiw, Yiciwir told them about her strategy that could kill Bindiw. Bindiw’s steps became a river because of the rain came last night. The first spirit that lived there was Yombotsimbit, so that the river was calle Yombot River, the river that symbolized a mother’s love to save her doughter.

Kaspar Manmak and Dewi Linggasari

Asmat Folklore, 5

THE FIRST SAGO TREE

Long time ago, at the upper course of Sirets River, lived a man named Biorpit. He had two wives and two dog. One day, the family suffered from famine, they decided to go jungle to find out some kind of food to be consumed every day. They walked along, from jungle to jungle, from one river river to others, as well as the dogs came around to find some food.

One day, they felt so tired and then the dog barked and seemed so happy. Biorit was wandering what happened. The dogs found sago tree. Biorpit was so happy, without realizing that there was a dangerous marsh. Then he was trapped there.

Since then, sago became main food for Asmat people every day. They had cut it, watering it, filtering it, nd placing it in a hole in a branch, so that the sago would be tasty. Biorpit and his family would not suffer famine anymore.

Biorpit thought that the entire sago tree they are his belongings, so that he were to cut it whenever he wanted. That statement made a snak that thought the same was angry to him. One day when Biorpit cut a sago tree, taht snake was very angry, so that it swallowed Biorpit’s body alive.

Teweraut, Biorpit’s daughter saw that incident, she cary aloud, called her neighbor to ask for helps to kill that snake. Then the snake could be killed by a man. Teweraut was not crying anymore. After that, the man married her.

Kaspar Manmak and Dewi Linggasari

Asmat Folklore, 3

F U M I R I P I T S

Along time ago, lived a man called Fumiripits in a jungle. He was a creator who lived alone in his big house. One day, he made a journey to Sirets River. There, he found so many beautiful girl. Fumiripits loved one of them, and so that the girl and the other. That girl who was falling in love the covered Fumiripits with banana leaves to keep him from her sisters. On the way home, the wave move quickly, so that Fumiripits fallen in to the river. Covered with banana leaves, he was fallen to the sea and shored near Momats River. Fumiripits was so sick then he died.

There were flock of bird that found him, and then they asked a shaman, the eagle to make him alive. That man found his life one more but he was separated from his lover. He built a house but he was still alone.

In his loneliness, he wanted to carve a statue from wooden. He cut a tree off and shaped the body head, the body, hand, feet, until it seemed like a human being. One of the statues ia a man and the other is a girl. Both of them are very delicate and beautiful. Fumiripits placed the statues aroun his living place. He was so happy with his creation, but those were still creatures which are disable to move or speak.

Then he made a tifa, he cut a tree off and made a hole in the center of that. He caught i lizard and then peeled it. He covered the hole with the lizard’s leather, he tied it with rattan that was full of his blood and white lemon, after that, he strike it. The beautiful sound of the tifa moved those statues and they danced in harmony with the saound of tifa. When Fumiripits made the rhythm getting faster, the statues moves were also faster.

Finally, the statues lived as human beings. They were the first craetures that would became Asmat’s ancestors.

Kaspar Manmak and Dewi Linggasari