ASMAT --From Behind The Lens

Legend and History

 
 

 So log time ago, there was a dashing beorpit --a gentleman -- named Fumiripits settled alone in a dwelling house in the woods. One day Fumeripits travelling downriver to the mouth of the River Sirets. At the river mouth ber¬temu young man with a group of girls who are all flawless can¬tik. Fumiripits fall in love with one ga¬dis pretty handsome it, as well as the good-looking girl. The girl decided to hide Fumiripis with a mat of leaves and lay in canoes in order to hide of the other sisters. On the way back through the river, Sirets waves began to shake, becoming increasingly tight. Inevitably, Fumiripits fall to the river in a state wrapped in a mat of leaves, swept into the sea and washed up on the banks of the River Momats. Fumiripits was in terrible pain until he could no longer feel anything, he was dying and eventually died. Shortly thereafter came the flock of birds, get Fumiripits in a state of sprawl. Flocks of birds was eventually appealed to Kidukunmsi - eagle magic to life back Fumiripits, so the Beorpit get life, but he got separated with the girl he loves.
Fumiripits build a long house as a residence, but he still lonely. In lonely place Fumiripits eager to make sculptures from wood. He also cut down a tree, cut it, and began to form a head, body, hands, and feet so that it exactly resembles the human counterpart. Among the sculptures there like a man and some that resemble a woman. The statues were very smooth and in¬dah, Fumiripits set figurines around earlier in his house he was very happy and proud of his creation. However statue still inanimate objects can not move or speak.
Fumiripits eventually make drums, he cut down a tree and piercing of the middle. Similarly Fumiripits catch a lizard, peeling skin, then closes one part of the timber hole with lizard skin and tied with rattan that has been smeared with his own blood and white lime. After the drums were finished, he hit it. Drums melodious voice made statues gasped, statues start moving and jerking to the rhythm of beating drums. When Fumiripits accelerate the rhythm, then the motion of the statues were getting faster and agile. Finally, the statues humans breathe and live righteously. They are the first people who started life in Asmat.
Fumiripits legend is a myth to reveal the origin of the existence of the Asmat carve complete expertise to attend to nature before contact directly or indirectly with the outside world. Away day ahead after statues carved into the Legend breathing then moved and danced to the rhythm of beating drums, the Asmat survive by relying on the wealth of forest and sea. Headhunting is a ritual to defend themselves against the intervention of ethnic groups around him. According to records Verlag (2002: 49), the first contact Asmat sporadically with the outside world occurred in the early 17th century. Date July 12, 1607, Win Vaes de Torres of the ship San Pedro write a letter to the Spanish king who preach exploration on the south coast of New Guinea and declared that the area belonged to the king of Spain. His letter further illustrating the face of a stranger who first met as black people are different from others, prepared better, using large arrows and shields, as well as several branches bambo contain limestone blinding enemies when they throw it.

On October 12, 1770, Captain James Cook and his crew met with the Asmat states. They are anchored in Pirimapun and called the said place as Cook Inlet. Less than a century later, in 1828 the Dutch government own Southwestern Coast of New Guinea, then own northern coast of the island on behalf of the Sultan of Tidore in 1848. During the early 1900s, the Dutch government sent an expedition to New Guinea to determine the boundaries Haki land they had been previously. This sporadic contact does not give any effect for the life of the Asmat.

Mansoeben (1995: 128-130) suggests chronological Asmat people contact with the outside world that began in 1904. Contacts happened because expeditions committed Europeans in the Pacific region. The next expedition occurred in 1907, 1909-1910 and 1912 -1913. The first and second first expedition led Lorentz and last Franssen Herderschee. Next two expeditions in 1922 and 1923, overall the expedition was in the framework of a scientific expedition. Another visit is derived from the Dutch Government that occurred in 1904 followed by visits following.
 In 1936 the Dutch government to build Pos Government for security purposes. Felix Maturbongs appointed Assistant Bestir in Agats for the tenure 1938 - 1943 and then brought craftsmen from Kei to build Pos Government Complex in Agats. Asmat Postal Administration was called Akat, who means "good" or "good". The tongue of the Netherlands was difficult to say "Akat," which came out was "Agats", the area around the Postal Administration until now referred to Agats. Furthermore Agats be the name of the capital of Asmat region.
In the same year with the construction of Government Post --1936, P. Herman Tillemans, MSC visited the northern part of the Asmat region by rowboat from MSC Mission Center in Mimika in the cause of evangelization. 1938 P. Hendrikus Cornelisse, MSC visited the Asmat of Langgur, Kei, from that visit two churches built in Syuru and chicken. In 1943, Japanese troops entered the Mimika area. Felix Bestir Maturbongs got a telegram from Merauke Resident population Agats so immediately evacuated to Merauke and Agats Government Pos destroyed. On January 26, 1943, Bestir and all comers in Agats went to Merauke aboard KM. Herman, while all Government buildings Post Agats charred burned. Until this year all efforts proclamation and stalled development in the Asmat region, World War II rages not allow for Upata referred.
In the period referred Asmat tied to the belief that the universe is inhabited by spirits and ghosts, all of whom called the devil and are classified into two categories: (First) Osbopan, demon that threatens the life, is a demon that can be life-threatening and life someone. As vicious pregnant women who have died or demon that lives in the banyan tree, the spirit that brings disease and disaster. (Both) Satan has not endangered the life, the life and soul of a person, just a scare and disturb. Besides the Asmat also familiar spirits that are good especially for the offspring., Which comes from the spirits of ancestors and called yi-ow.
The Asmat also believed in the existence of magical powers that cause everyone illicit do do certain things, taboo. Many things -things abstinence exercised in daily activities, such as the collection of foodstuffs sago, fishing, and hunting animal. Thw magic can be used to find lost items, swag or indicate the thief goods. There is also the use of magical powers to dominate nature and the winds, lightning, rain, and storm. The believing will gain strength and spirit manifested in the rites that take place daily became customary indigenous it.
 The Asmat not know ritual burial. Death is not a natural thing, if someone does not die, then the local trust confirmed that the person died, because "suanggi" black magic or "people make the drug". Newborns later died was considered a matter of course, not to cry with grief in transcendental love, the spirit of the baby wanted to get into the spirit realm. Instead of adult death brings sorrow profound, because of the belief that death is coming unless the age is too old or too young, is caused by a malicious act, either of magic or violence. The local trust requires retaliation for the victims who have died. The ancestral spirits were presented in the spectacular wood carvings of the boat, shields or wooden poles carved human figures. Indigenous headhunting continued until the 1960s, youth Asmat obligations and their devotion to fellow members, to the ancestors and to prove his manhood by fighting and then returned with the enemy's head, while the body of the enemy helpless offered to eat other family members in the village.
If there are parents who are sick, then the next of kin approached the sick gathered in tears, because of a belief in death would pick. No efforts to treat or feed it to the sick, the family-sick believe that person will' take one of the family who loves to accompany in dampu ow capinmi -- death. On the side of the home-sick lie, a fence made of branches of palm trees. When it became known, that the sick person dies, wailing and weeping burst worsen. The family left immediately scramble to embrace the corpse- roll-out of the house body roll in the mud. Meanwhile, the people who lived around the house of death has closed all the holes and driveways -- main entrance - with the intention of blocking the entry of evil spirits hanging around at the moment of death. Relatives left behind showed grief by crying every day for months, his body smeared with mud and shaved her head. Relatives married promised not to marry again, although at the time the promise was hard to keep. Grief is also demonstrated by covering their heads and faces with hats in order not to attract the attention of others.
The body of the deceased person is placed on the -- bamboo, which has provided outside the village and left to rot. Later, his bones were collected and stored at the top of the main points of the timber. Skull taken up again for use as a pillow as a sign of love for relatives who have.Still rooted belief that the spirits of people who have died still remain in the village, especially if relatives are realized in the form of statues mbis, namely sculpture timber with a height of 5-8 meters. Ritual different for relatives who have passed away, by putting the bodies on top of a long canoe with supplies like sago and sago for. Canoe containing the remains were later released on the flow of the river and beyond drifting towards its final resting sea, the natural death of the spirit where all rest in peace.
1950 when the situation back to peace Pastor Gerald Zegwaard, MSC visited the Asmat and trying to repatriate people who originally fled to Asmat Kamoro. Pastor Zegwaard put five people in the village catechist Ao, Kapi, As-Atat, and Nakai later become a parish Yamas. In 1951, dr. Fisher, a medic from the WHO's travel to Asmat well received by the community. Plague spreads yaws, treatment performed dr. Fisher led to the presence of the said doctor to make a positive contribution to public health. In January 1953 Father Zegwaard, MSC began to settle in Agats and on February 3, 1953 the first Asmat --a mother was baptized.
One year later, in 1954, Indonesia has been seeking diplomatic efforts to get Papua --Irian-- the Round Table Conference. But diplomatic negotiations do not produce results. In 1956 the Dutch government refused to hand Irian to Indonesia. Six years later, on 15 August 1962 the negotiations reach the point of light, because of the involvement of the United States John F. Kennedy as president. Dutch surrender to the interim government Irian United Nations on October 1, 1962, subsequent to the date of May 1, 1963, Irian submitted to the Government of Indonesia.
Since then, the Asmat region is headed by a PPP Local Officials -Head-equivalent to the position of District Chief today. The presence of missionaries and government officials, although very young age slowly began to change peoples lives from war system into a more peaceful life, practical customary headhunting slowly fade and then disappear altogether. But the underlying belief system in their relationships with ancestral spirits survive and become the basis of people's behaviour, particularly in terms of sculpture. The Asmat see life into three parts. The first part is the living world or Asmat ow capinmi, the second part is a haven of people who have died and have not entered the eternal resting place in safar --paradise-called dampu ow capinmi. The spirits that live in dampu capinmi ow is the cause of disease, suffering, earthquakes, and war. People who are still alive must redeem these spirits by making parties and engravings as well as give it a name so that they can get into the realm of Safar, who is the ultimate goal, the third part of the life of the Asmat.
Apart from being the ultimate goal of life of the Asmat, Safar is also believed to be the place of origin of the spirits of the baby. Babies are initially entered through jiwi jof, the door through which they entered this world. Having grown up and then die, then they will be through Jamir jof, is a path to the end of the world. Children born through jiwi jof is the embodiment of the people who have died. They are the new private named yuwus, which means "name" for the person who is the spirit of personal Asmat. By naming an engraving, means spirit and the personal into the carvings. Thus, it is a personal engraving. On the basis of trust in the spirit of ancestors who had settled in dampu ow capinmi, then the wowipits -- the who make sculpture-- hands move to follow the instinct to create a masterpiece that causes Asmat sculpture became very illustrious.
Fame Asmat sculpture is one factor that invites the presence of immigrants from all sides to engage in the development of white partition in the region. Human figures sprung up, including the education figure hero in the Asmat region immortalized in the form of remembrance  who has written on the historical record. On August 17, 1951, Date Father Yan Smith entered the Order of the Holy Cross, on July 25, 1957 Date ordained a priest, Father Yan Smit year from 1958 to 1959 went to the United States to take up the study of theology in Fort Wayne and Hastings. Date October 24, 1959, Pastor Yan Smit arrived in Asmat. Five years after the hard work to start an educational process for children Asmat, a conflict with KPS --Head Local officials and ended tragically. Date January 28, 1965, took place not far from the iconic pastor established, disputes occur KPS brandishing weapons in the direction of Pastor Yan Smtih, pulled the trigger, on the first shot the priest was still standing, as well as on the second shot. On the third shot Pastor Yan Smith collapsed covered with blood, and never got up again. Father Yan Smith passed away with heartbreaking at the age of 34 years, the status of that time as Parish Priest-Yeni Yamas and Own School District for the entire Catholic schooling in the Asmat region.
On the day of the death of myths, a few seconds before the shot barked, soul apart from the body, Father Yan Smith had said, "If my body was broken, then land in this place will be broken anyway". The rain fell very heavy poured from the sky for days, after the shooting, as if mourning a servant of humanity, innocent human lives are taken arbitrarily. Coinciding with the tragic events of the shooting of a pastor, the Asmat region more known by the broad. The newcomers slowly comes to settle in the Asmat region, building economic sites. Infrastructure demand for wood as a place to stay, bridges, boats, and fuel wood continues to increase innumerable. The trees towering around Agats cut down and continue to cut. Tides along the year, then erosion begin to occur can not be stopped from time to time. Agats which was originally in the form of peat land eventually disintegrate into a marshland that could no longer to stay. Damage to land in the city Agats, seemed to justify the utterance Pastor Yan Smtih, before he collapsed covered with blood, "If my body is damaged, then the ground will be broken in this place".
While Asmat survive by hunting and gathering strategies as well as engraving, sporadic contacts and ongoing contacts continue to occur, then the change rolling. The presence of missionaries and the government encourages social facilities including clinics and schools built. Health and education are the main processes that must be exceeded as the development of human resources. 1983 Regent Assistant office was established with all devices working in it, as a beginner's plan to split the Asmat region became district. PHC Agats with inpatient facilities was established as a means of community treatment. When the Asmat region is divided into seven districts, Agats is the capital of Asmat region, Sawa Erma, Akat, Atsj, Suator, Fayit and Cassowary Coast. One doctor stationed at the health centre head Agats as well as overseeing six other districts.
Two decades after the establishment of the Office of the Vice Regent Asmat, based on Law No. 26 Year 2002 on the Establishment of Sarmi, Keerom, South Sorong regency, Raja Ampat, Pegunungan Bintang District, Yahokimo, Tolikara, Waropen, Kaimana District Boven Digul, District Mapi, Asmat, Teluk Bintuni, and Wondama bay. Then the Asmat region entered a new historical stage in the development of the region in order

District government. On the 12th April, 2003, 12 Acting Regent Expansion throughout the province of Papua in Jayapura inducted. Saturday, May 31, 2003 Merauke Regent John Gluba Gebze, accompanied by Vice Regent, Benjamin Simatupang and a whole range of local officials and the people of Merauke organize traditional ceremonies, symbolically handed over to the public regent officials who will lead. Drs. David Tuok Digul Boven submitted to the community, Muyu and Mandobo. Drs. John Rumlus assigned to communities Mapi, and Drs. Yosef Wiro Watken submitted to the Asmat.
Redistricting Asmat slowly but surely giving the direction of change in people's lives in the last decade. District carved out of seven, to ten, and eventually became nineteen. Telkomsel stand, the population exploded in the town of about 6,000 inhabitants to more 23,000 people. The area of ​​town to experience the division, so that walking becomes a matter of weight in order to mobility in urban areas. Appears mini bikes, bike federal, and finally the electric motor as a primary means of mobility within the city. The road was built as a composite solid road infrastructure in the city, mercury lamps are lit at night, electricity was originally lit six o'clock in the evening, was now burning well as from at 8:00 to 14:30 CET. No matter the amount of electric power production by PT PLN in 2011 reached 1,117,861 KWh. Dual amount reached 1,121,072 kwh. The amount consumed by 961 customers with approximately 60.99% household customers. Electric facilities is absolutely necessary in everyday life, without power, the activities of life can be expressed stop. Amenities social popping photo copies, restaurant, salon, cafe, hotel, travel around the new docks, houses of worship, and a pharmacy. While development in the areas of health refers to improving the quality of life, increase life expectancy and enhance public awareness of the importance of healthy living, supported by the number of hospitalized -capacity of 43 beds; 11 Community Health Center (Puskesmas) including 8 health centres care with 56 beds; 47 health centres; 123 Pos Integrated services (Posyandu); 40 postal deliveries Village (polindes) 33 mobile health clinics (22 longboat using speedboats and 11) and 1 clinics / health centers and 10 family planning clinics. Number of specialists 2; GP 21; dentist 2orang; 69 midwives and 90 nurses and five health workers other. Respiratory handled is a disease of the respiratory tract (29 083 cases); malaria (24 690 cases); diarrhea (11 267 cases) and skin (10 917 cases). Health is a flagship program in development, unsecured fend healthy, then one would not be able to move and do the tasks that are useful for the region. Facility PT. PLN lit at about 18.00 CET until 02:00 CET, on holidays the power is on in the afternoon for about six hours. Trial electricity during the day have been performed on Christmas and New Year 2014, now awaits. No matter the amount of electric power production by PT PLN in 2011 reached 1,117,861 KWh. Amount reached 1,121,072 kwh. The amount consumed by 961 customers with approximately 60.99% household customers. Electric facilities is absolutely necessary in everyday life, without power, the activities of life can be expressed stop. While the water supply has been streamed on while households in the district capital of the water that comes from Kampung Yepem. However, rainfall remains a major source to meet the need for clear water. Nature has been doing so wisely by pouring rain throughout the year every month. Every household accommodated in tension or drum to meet the daily water needs. A person who has never been to the Asmat region never distrusted the presence of a source of clean water in this place. However, such fact occurred, that the source of clean water from the sky. One thing that is unique in tourist destinations.

C. Asmat: Dimensional Reality of Life
After a night lit by the moonlight and the stars, then a few hours before the morning light breaks down, the weather can change so quickly. Rain forests store water continues to evaporate into mist, overcast, and prepared as Rinai water gushing out of the sky. Activities in the morning under a stream of rain and occasional fog is very common in this region. Bridge board and composite bridge into a slick, two-wheeled cyclists and electric motors must walk more carefully so as not to fall slipped into the mud.
Stream of water means a blessing from the highest place, the sky. Air meet community needs will need to drink, regular consumption, bathing, and washing. Every household has a tension, drem, trays, cans of water as a storage place for daily needs. While rain water gushing saved, when about three weeks of rain was also down, the water supply is still sufficient for survival. Families who do not have enough water reservoirs, will be looking for specific places that can provide water.
Rain can fall a full day, but more often stalled when the sun went high. Doors and windows of houses began to open, the activity of house cleaning and preparation for consumption daily routine starts. The clerks prepare to go to the office for routine tasks, students and teachers begin to prepare to go to school in order task nation. The bustle of the market began to be held, groceries, vegetables, fish, and chicken offered. Thus pila with stalls offering a variety of activities of daily living needs, on the porches of home sellers offering yellow rice and cakes moist, buyers arrive, the transaction took place.
In the villages, jew -home-flunky as the one of the largest buildings still standing strong, ready to keep life together in the said village. Daily activities began to move, sago file means go into the woods with a rowing boat or a boat ride fiber support from Fisheries and Maritime Affairs. Opting means going to the waters off the region to obtain fish catches. Fish that excess will be offered to buyers in the market, the fish in small quantities would only enough for regular consumption collectively. That members of other relatives will come again to the house to get the day's consumption.
Lodging in the capital area Agats, electricity will turn right at 08.00 CET and extinguished at 15:00 CEST. A social progress for the facility from the year 2014. Activities of the office ends at 16:30 CET on Saturday. Sunday, and red date is a holiday together. While other activities continue as usual. The ambiance in the morning would be a "special" on Sunday when KM. Tatamalau or KM. Flores and KMP. Muyu sound an audible stom up all over the city. Residents who intend to mobility will go flocking carrying a suitcase, bag, or carton headed to the dock. A few hours later the atmosphere in the market will become more crowded with a variety of merchandise brought by traders from Timika, major vegetables, fruits, breads, snacks, and so forth. After a few hours docked ship will continue its journey to Merauke about 30 hours shipping, accounting for about 30 hours after the ship docked at the pier Merauke will be docked back at the dock Agats. KM. Flores will continue the cruise up to Ambon or Surabaya. KM. Tatamalau will continue the cruise up to Bitung.
The roar of the aircraft will also resonate break up the sky, taking the best AMA service flights Ewer - Merauke, while Trigana who took low Mapi - Timika will pass well above the town Agats. Ewer Pioneer Airport runway while still under repair facilities and infrastructure to prepare for better transport in the framework of population mobility. The local transportation facilities in the district is a speed boat, as well as means of transport in urgent circumstances, when mobility to Timika must pass beyond scheduled passenger ships and aircraft. Occasional helicopter rumbling sound in the air, as if there is mobility so important, outside the passenger ship services, Trigana or AMA.
Commencing at the turn of the year until the early months of the new year very strong west wind blowing, sometimes destroy the gate and trees. Marine accidents are are inevitable in this month. When the wind subsides, the crawler boisterous catch shrimp and sell them to the market. After That hot air back to June, everyone will complain, because hot even at night. By July, when the sun rotates on the Tropic of Cancer, in the Australian falling snow. Freezing air as if to waft from very far to the Asmat region. The morning after the rain the air is very cold even when the sun moved higher, the afternoon air gets cold and froze at night. Then, in the morning everyone had to struggle against cold air to start the activity.
At 08.00 CET when the power is on, the television as a medium of mass communication began to broadcast to inform a variety of news and entertainment on the other hemisphere. Engine coolant works to preserve meat, fruit, and vegetable major. The streets were busy with passing pedestrians and motion electric motor. Electrical facilities facilitate community activities in improving the standard of living as well as get a decent chance as citizens of an independent country when the red and white flag every morning was hoisted to the top of the pole.
As part of the Shah of Homeland red and white flag was officially hoisted, especially on Warning Anniversary of the Proclamation of Independence, every 17th of August. Under the fluttering red and white children are born, grow, play with peers in every corner of the remaining pages. Travel time bring it to adulthood, past education, establishing itself in a life together in family ties, are old, and finally gone.
Before heading absence, so youth is a time when every individual plays an important role in social life, activities as part of communion at home flunky, carve, held a traditional ceremony, so that social order can be maintained. Jew stands in every village, the ancestral carvings as the stake is a belief, that even has gone, but the spirit of ancestors always in unity, enduring even after death separates.
In the jew engraving lowered, the ancestral spirits again present in every dimension of life, on the situation better or worse. Carving displays artistic expression at stake jew, ritual sculpture mbis, simple technology and their canoe paddle, eating utensils -sago plate-armament -solawaku ax-handles. As for the traditional parties, the party is blessing the house's attendant, party spirit and party mbis statue serves as a social cohesion that perpetuate it indigenous customs in order to worship ancestral spirits as communal identity.
While people's lives continue in ritual traditional party as well as confidence in the natural life there that is manifested in the carving, the buying and selling on the market can not be stopped anyway. Markets meet human needs for daily consumption, the seller set a survival strategy and daily shopping when the buyer must also be maintained.
Health services are an integral dimension of the main task of the medical as well as the whole range of human resources in order to build on the initial steps. Development of Community Health Centers became Agats Hospital is a step forward in the framework of public services, provide health insurance, and life expectancy is longer. Without health no one would be able to do daily duty to pursue ideals.
Any teaching and learning process in order to pursue the ideals remain a part of community development concerning the improvement of the quality tbsp. Students in kindergarten, elementary, middle, and high school every morning outside a day off in droves to go to school, studying for a better future. Nothing a better process in the development of human resources is sustainable except through the process of learning from level to level. University-level education can be obtained by leaving the Asmat region for students who have completed high school education.
Education serves to build the totality of human resources, including in achieving gender equality. Globally institutionalized gender issues very much in people's lives with a different change and progress. Changes have also occurred in the Asmat region, especially after the regional growth takes place. Women are still doing domestic work, pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, raising children, looking for firewood, gathering, capture, providing daily meals and clean the whole house. However, the regional growth has brought with it Asmat women to complete secondary education and higher education, as teachers, midwives, civil servants, the Heads of Head Office. Asmat women not only domestic chores alone, have begun efforts and achieve equality.
HR potential Asmat region while engaged in an effort to the independence of a territory. Potential and independence is a prerequisite for strengthening the dimension of a region, including tourism. Geographical conditions, is indigenous customs, have the ability to carve out a capital base in attracting the flow of tourists. While adequate human resources is a subject that is not less important in the tourism itself. Humans as the host will revive tourist sites are already available and feasible to be developed.

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