In a vibrant celebration of cultural pride and agricultural resilience, the Colo Sagu Festival 2025 unfolded as a dynamic showcase of Papua’s ancestral wisdom and its modern potential. Held in conjunction with the 79th Bhayangkara Day, the festival brought together community leaders, farmers, chefs, youth, and government officials to underscore one essential message: sago is the heart of Papua’s food sovereignty.
A Cultural Revival for a Sustainable Future
Opened officially by Papua Police Chief Inspector General Mathius D. Fakhiri and Acting Governor Ridwan Rumasukun, the festival drew widespread attention to sago, a traditional staple deeply rooted in the indigenous Papuan way of life. “This is not just about celebrating tradition,” said Rumasukun in his address. “It’s about charting a future where sago becomes central to our economy and food systems.”
The Colo Sagu Festival — named after the traditional practice of communal sago harvesting — was held in Jayapura and featured an array of activities, including culinary exhibitions, cultural performances, traditional sago-processing demonstrations, and forums on food security. The event sought to bridge ancestral heritage with contemporary innovation, positioning sago not only as a symbol of identity but also as a strategic food source amid global uncertainties.
From Local Fields to National Tables
Acting Governor Rumasukun used the occasion to emphasize sago’s potential as a national food commodity, urging the central government to recognize and promote it alongside rice, maize, and other staples. “Sago is abundant, nutritious, and climate-resilient. It grows naturally across our forests and wetlands. Why should we rely so heavily on imported rice when we have such wealth beneath our feet?” he asked.
He further noted that the national shift toward local food resilience must start in regions like Papua, where food systems are intimately tied to land, culture, and sustainability.
A Festival of Flavors: Traditional Meets Modern
One of the highlights of the festival was a culinary exhibition featuring innovative sago-based dishes. From the iconic papeda to sago noodles, cookies, cakes, and even sago coffee, chefs from across Papua and beyond demonstrated that sago is not only nutritious but highly versatile.
A special showcase featured fusion cuisine that paired sago with modern culinary techniques, attracting attention from both local entrepreneurs and international observers. Representatives from Japan and Europe, who were also present at the event, expressed growing interest in importing sago for health food markets in their countries.
“Sago has a low glycemic index, it’s gluten-free, and it’s cultivated in an eco-friendly manner,” noted a Japanese trade envoy. “We see potential for it in our food innovation sectors.”
Food Security Through Local Wisdom
The festival also hosted discussions on how indigenous food knowledge can serve as a foundation for regional and national food security strategies. Papuan elders spoke about the importance of protecting sago forests from deforestation, land conversion, and mining. Meanwhile, academics and government officials discussed integrating sago into school lunch programs and village food resilience plans.
Papua Police Chief Fakhiri stressed that supporting local food systems also promotes social stability. “When people can eat from their own land, they are healthier, prouder, and more independent. And that strengthens peace and security across Papua.”
Economic Potential and Women’s Empowerment
Beyond its cultural and nutritional value, sago offers significant economic potential. The festival highlighted success stories from women’s cooperatives that have started small businesses based on sago products — from packaged snacks to eco-friendly packaging materials derived from sago palm waste.
“These women are not only preserving tradition,” said one festival organizer, “they are becoming entrepreneurs, feeding their families, and inspiring others.”
Looking Ahead: Sago on the Global Stage?
With international eyes turning to Papua’s sago, the festival also served as a soft diplomacy platform. Delegations from several countries reportedly explored opportunities for sustainable trade and investment, though local leaders stressed that development must prioritize Papuan ownership and benefit.
To support this, the government pledged to improve sago infrastructure — from better processing tools in villages to supply chain support and export facilitation. “We don’t want to just sell raw materials,” said Acting Governor Rumasukun. “We want to export Papuan-branded products that carry our story, our pride, and our people’s future.”
Conclusion
The Colo Sagu Festival 2025 was more than an event — it was a movement. A movement to reclaim food independence, to elevate indigenous wisdom, and to align culture with climate-resilient development.
In the words of a young Papuan participant: “When we eat sago, we eat our identity. And now the world is starting to taste it too.”
As global food systems grow more fragile, Papua’s local solution — nurtured by forests, rooted in tradition, and energized by community — may offer a resilient path forward, not just for the region, but for the world.
