PT Freeport Indonesia

Freeport Indonesia Presents Kamoro Artists at the 2024 Papua Land Noken Festival in Jakarta

27 December 2024

Jakarta, December 27, 2024 – PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) continues to demonstrate its commitment to preserving and introducing the culture of the Kamoro Tribe, Papua, to the national public. This time, they presented Kamoro Artists at the 2024 Papua Land Noken Festival organized by the Ministry of Culture at Sarinah, Jakarta, December 20-22, 2024.

Minister of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia Fadli Zon said the Ministry of Culture is working to promote and develop Noken from what is typically used by Papuan mothers for the market into a fashion piece. Currently, the government, together with the Papuan community, cultural communities, and businesses, has taken important steps, one of which is organizing the Papua Land Noken Festival.

"We must make Indonesians appreciate our culture; we shouldn't wait for others to appreciate it while we don't. So we must socialize, we must disseminate knowledge about our culture, especially to our young generation," said Fadli Zon.

PTFI President Director Tony Wenas explained that the participation of Kamoro Tribe artists represents PTFI's commitment to preserving the art and culture of indigenous Papuan communities living around the company's operational area.

"Our support for the Papua Land Noken Festival demonstrates our commitment to preserving Indonesian art and culture, especially from Papua. The presence of Kamoro carving art and noken at this festival is expected to introduce and expand access to the beauty of Papuan cultural arts to the wider community," said Tony.

Traditional noken made from natural fibers native to Papua has received UNESCO recognition as Intangible Cultural Heritage in the category of Urgently Requiring Protection since 2012. Making noken usage common for daily needs, from shopping bags to fashion accessories, can trigger increased production of traditional noken, thus elevating Noken's status to the Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.

Chairman of the Maramowe Weaiku Kamorowe Foundation Herman Kiripi said noken from the Kamoro Tribe living in Papua's southern coastal region is made from marsh grass, pandanus leaves, or hibiscus tree bark, manually woven by women.

This differs from the raw materials for knitted noken from mountainous regions, which are made by knitting or sewing. Raw materials in lowland areas are abundant and easily obtained, and the manufacturing process doesn't require much time.

Herman expressed his happiness about carrying this cultural mission in the festival. He is grateful for the support from PTFI and the Ministry of Culture to the Maramowe Weaiku Kamorowe Foundation, enabling six Kamoro Artists to participate in the 2024 Papua Land Noken Festival.

"We are grateful to be able to promote, introduce various carvings, and showcase traditional dances, while demonstrating how to weave and carve original artwork from Kamoro artists. We express our gratitude to PTFI and the Ministry of Culture for continuing to support Kamoro Tribe arts to keep developing," Herman stated.

Besides displaying various woven noken and carved products, Kamoro Tribe carving artists also provided carving training. Beginning the training, participants received explanations about various carving forms and the meaning of motifs in the carvings.

Subsequently, each participant was guided in creating carvings on a board that they could take home as a memento. Additionally, the organizers of the 2024 Papua Land Noken Festival also provided noken knitting training.

PHOTO	CAPTION
	PTFI President Director Tony Wenas presenting Kamoro artwork souvenirs to Minister of Culture Fadli Zon at the 2024 Papua Land Noken Festival (12/20).
	Kamoro Tribe carving artists providing carving training to visitors at the 2024 Papua Land Noken Festival in Jakarta (12/20).
	Minister of Culture Fadli Zon visiting the Kamoro Tribe art exhibition booth displaying woven noken art and carvings at the 2024 Papua Land Noken Festival in Jakarta (12/20-22).
	Various Kamoro carvings and woven noken decorating the Sarinah Pavilion, location of the 2024 Papua Land Noken Festival.
	Various Kamoro carvings and woven noken decorating the Sarinah Pavilion at the 2024 Papua Land Noken Festival.