Customary Initiation House (Indjo Fihre Ssing) Upholds Tradition Strengthens Sovereignty

The Yeno Meyu Indigenous Community is part of the Namblong Tribe located in Meyu Village, Nimboran District, Jayapura Regency, Papua. This community has a rich tradition that is close to the land and nature and still firmly maintains the cultural heritage of its ancestors. In order to maintain cultural heritage and protect customary forests, with the support of the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding, the Yeno Meyu Indigenous Community together with WALHI Papua initiated efforts to strengthen its role in protecting the environment and customary forests, by building the Customary Initiation House.

In the local language, this Traditional Initiation House is called Indjo Fihre Ssing. Reinvigorating the traditional education system is important to protect the territory of the Yeno Meyu Indigenous Community and preserve the customs and culture that have been passed down from generation to generation. The Traditional Initiation House is designed not only as a cultural symbol, but also as a fortress of traditional knowledge that can be used to educate the younger generation about the importance of forests, customs, and their identity as Indigenous Peoples.

In addition, it is a place where Indigenous peoples can organize themselves, strengthen solidarity, and prepare collective strategies to face challenges to customary forests. This program also focuses on strengthening customary sovereignty over the customary territory of the Meyu Indigenous Community of 2.790 hectares which has been officially recognized by the government.

The initial activity of this program is preparation and community deliberation. At this stage, the community together with WALHI Papua held discussions with traditional figures, community leaders, and members of the indigenous community to formulate an implementation plan. This discussion aims to agree on the steps that need to be taken, including the construction schedule, procurement of building materials, and the division of roles among community members. The meeting also discussed how the Customary Initiation House can once again function as a space to preserve customs, as well as a place to strengthen community solidarity in facing external challenges, such as the expansion of the palm oil extractive industry.

The next stage is the physical construction of the Traditional Initiation House. This process is carried out through mutual cooperation, involving various groups in the community, including men and women, as well as representatives of young people who will be the successors of the tradition. The materials used in the construction are mostly from local resources, such as wood, but are also combined with modern building materials to ensure the durability of the building. This mutual cooperation is not only a physical process, but also an important moment to strengthen solidarity.

Along with the construction of the traditional house, discussion and training activities were also carried out involving traditional elders and other community members. The discussion focused on how the Traditional Initiation House can function as a center for traditional education, where traditional values ​​and knowledge can be taught to the younger generation. In addition, this activity also serves as a forum for sharing knowledge about traditional forest management, how to protect traditional areas from the threat of deforestation, and strengthening community skills in managing natural resources sustainably. So far, the program has had a direct impact on education in the Yeno Meyu Indigenous Community of 58 women, 50 men, and 40 children.

The customary forest area of ​​the Namblong Tribe in Meyu Village is home to a variety of unique flora and fauna, which function as an important part of the balance of the ecosystem. Amid the ongoing threat of deforestation in many tropical regions due to the expansion of plantations and extractive industries, the customary area of ​​Yeno Meyu Village is important in maintaining a sustainable ecosystem. By protecting the customary forest, the Yeno Meyu Indigenous Community not only protects their own environment, but also makes an important contribution to global efforts to combat climate change and biodiversity loss.

The Indigenous Initiation House or Indjo Fihre Ssing was built as a symbol of sovereignty and cultural sustainability. This place is an educational center that teaches young people about the importance of a harmonious relationship between humans and nature. The use of this house to educate and raise awareness of Indigenous Peoples about the threats facing their customary territories also makes this program an important tool in overcoming the storm of deforestation and environmental damage that is coming to customary forests.