The rush of Eid al-Fitr has passed, but in Jayapura, it does not feel like things have slowed down.
At Hamadi Market, just a few kilometers from the coastline, the stalls are still open well into the afternoon. Fish vendors sit behind trays of fresh catch, calling out to familiar faces. Vegetable sellers rearrange their produce, making sure everything still looks appealing under the fading sun.
If you did not know the calendar, you might not guess that one of the busiest spending seasons of the year had just ended.
“I thought it would be quiet by now,” said Lina, a vendor who has been selling vegetables here for more than a decade. “But people are still buying like usual.”
She pauses for a moment, then adds, “Maybe not as crowded as before Eid, but still steady.”
That word comes up often in conversations across Papua these days.
Steady.
It is not a word that grabs attention. It does not suggest dramatic growth or sudden change. But in economic terms, especially after a major holiday like Eid al-Fitr, it carries weight.
Because what Lina is describing is something economists have also begun to notice.
Consumer purchasing power in Papua has remained strong even after Eid 2026, according to observations from Bank Indonesia’s regional office.
The Moment After the Peak
Eid is a peak moment across Indonesia.
Families prepare weeks in advance. New clothes are bought. Food is prepared in abundance. Travel increases as people return to their hometowns. Money moves quickly, flowing from cities to villages, from formal jobs to informal markets.
In many places, the days after Eid feel different.
The crowds thin out.
Spending slows.
People begin to tighten their budgets again.
But in Papua, the pattern this year feels slightly different.
A Market That Refuses to Slow
At Hamadi Market, the change is subtle.
Yes, there are fewer shoppers than during the days leading up to Eid. The urgency is gone. No one is rushing to prepare for a big celebration anymore.
But the activity has not disappeared.
People still come.
They still buy.
They still spend.
A fish seller named Markus gestures toward his stall.
“Usually after Eid, it gets quiet for a while,” he said. “This year, it’s not like that.”
He shrugs, as if unsure how to explain it.
“People still need things,” he adds.
More Than Just Habit
At first glance, continued spending might seem like a habit.
People buying what they always buy.
But there are reasons behind it.
One of the most immediate is income.
In Indonesia, many workers receive Tunjangan Hari Raya, or THR, a holiday allowance paid before Eid.
This additional income boosts purchasing power.
And importantly, it does not disappear overnight.
Some of it is spent during the holiday.
But some remain.
Circulating through local economies.
How Money Moves
In Papua, the way money moves is often visible.
A government employee receives THR.
They spend part of it at local shops.
Shop owners use that money to restock goods.
Suppliers receive payments.
And the cycle continues.
It is not a complex financial system.
But it is an effective one.
A Coffee Stall Story
Near the market, a small coffee stall has become a regular stop for motorbike drivers and office workers.
The owner, Yusuf, says business has been consistent.
“During Eid, it was busy,” he said.
“After that, still normal. Not empty.”
He leans back slightly, watching customers come and go.
“For us, normal is already good,” he adds.
The Meaning of “Normal”
In many parts of the world, economic discussions focus on growth rates, inflation figures, and policy decisions.
In places like Papua, the language is different.
People talk about whether things feel normal.
Whether business is good.
Whether customers are still coming.
When people say things are normal, it often means something positive.
It means stability.
Bank Indonesia’s View
From a policy perspective, Bank Indonesia sees the same pattern.
Officials note that household consumption remains a key driver of economic activity in Papua, even after the Eid period.
They point to stable purchasing power as an indicator that the local economy is holding up well.
Behind this observation are several factors.
Income distribution during Eid.
Monetary policy that supports economic activity.
And the continued functioning of local markets.
The Role of Prices
Of course, purchasing power is not only about income.
It is also about prices.
If prices rise too quickly, even strong income can feel insufficient.
In Papua, food prices have been a concern in recent months.
Supply challenges.
Transportation costs.
Seasonal factors.
All of these can influence prices.
A Buyer’s Perspective
At the market, a woman named Maria carefully selects vegetables.
She checks prices, comparing between stalls.
“Some things are more expensive,” she says.
“But we still buy what we need.”
She pauses, then adds, “We just adjust.”
It is a practical approach.
Not driven by optimism or pessimism.
Just adaptation.
Digital Payments and Changing Habits
Another change that is gradually shaping spending patterns in Papua is the rise of digital payments.
In urban areas like Jayapura, QR codes are becoming more common.
Customers scan and pay.
Transactions become faster.
For small businesses, it means less reliance on cash.
For customers, it adds convenience.
It may seem like a small shift.
But over time, it changes how people interact with the economy.
A Younger Generation
For younger residents, digital payments feel natural.
A university student describes it simply.
“I don’t always carry cash now,” he says.
“If the stall has QR, I just scan.”
This convenience can encourage spending.
Not in a dramatic way.
But in small, consistent ways.
Beyond Jayapura
The story of strong purchasing power is not limited to the capital.
In other parts of Papua, similar patterns are observed.
Though the dynamics may differ.
In rural areas, markets are smaller.
Transactions are simpler.
But the principle remains the same.
People continue to spend.
The Importance of Stability
For local economies, stability is often more important than rapid growth.
It allows businesses to plan.
It gives households a sense of security.
It creates a foundation for future development.
A Farmer’s View
In a rural area outside Jayapura, a farmer reflects on the situation.
“After Eid, we usually slow down,” he says.
“This year, not too much.”
He explains that demand for his produce has remained consistent.
“It helps us,” he adds.
The Broader Context
Papua’s economic resilience after Eid 2026 is part of a larger national trend.
Across Indonesia, Eid drives consumption.
But what happens afterward varies.
In some regions, spending drops sharply.
In others, it stabilizes.
Papua appears to fall into the latter category this year.
Challenges Ahead
This does not mean everything is easy.
Challenges remain.
Inflation.
Logistics.
Global uncertainties.
Weather patterns that affect supply.
These factors could influence purchasing power in the coming months.
A Quiet Confidence
Still, there is a sense of quiet confidence.
Not expressed in bold statements.
But in everyday behavior.
People continue to buy.
Businesses continue to operate.
Markets remain active.
Evening at the Market
As evening approaches, Hamadi Market begins to wind down.
Vendors pack their goods.
Customers head home.
The noise fades gradually.
But the day’s activity leaves a trace.
Conclusion
Economic strength is not always visible in large numbers.
Sometimes, it is seen in smaller moments.
A vendor who still sells enough.
A customer who can still buy what they need.
A market that does not fall silent after a major holiday.
In Papua, after Eid 2026, those moments are still happening.
And together, they tell a story.
Not of dramatic change.
But of resilience.
And sometimes, that is exactly what matters most.