Noken is an object that is a typical culture of Papua. The shape of noken is a bag that can be used as a container for anything. Papuan people make noken using wood fibers so that they produce quality and durable noken for use for a long period of time. Noken is used by women from various tribes in Papua as a container for storing agricultural products such as corn, sweet potatoes, and anything obtained from the forest or fields. The use of noken is by placing it on the head. In addition, noken can also be used as a storage container for anything in various sizes. In fact, when the general election took place, people in Papua did not put their ballots in the voting booth provided by the General Election Commission, but instead put them in noken. The government allows the use of noken like this because in essence it is a form of cultural freedom and expression that does not interfere with anything and still makes the general election process run smoothly.
People outside Papua are starting to get to know noken because of the various motifs that are starting to be shown. The wood fibers used to produce noken are starting to be decorated with various motifs and colors so that people outside are interested in buying and using noken. The Papuan Regional Government also continues to promote noken. One way is by using noken in national events. Starting from national scale exhibitions and the latest is the use of noken in the National Sports Week.
The Head of the Family Empowerment and Welfare Movement Team of the Papua Mountains Province branch, Herwin Meiliantina Wanggai, wore noken when attending the weightlifting competition at the National Sports Week held in Aceh Province. He attended the competition to provide support to athletes from the Papua Mountains Province who competed to win medals and bring good name to the province. Herwin’s total support was not only by taking the time to come directly to Aceh but also by wearing a cultural product, namely noken. Herwin’s appearance managed to get the attention of everyone who came to watch the match at that time.
Noken is indeed used in everyday life by women from Papua. The use of noken which is closely associated with women can also be used in formal activities and even in national events attended by people from various parts of the Republic of Indonesia. When the Head of the Family Empowerment and Welfare Movement Team of the Papua Mountains Province branch wore noken in the National Sports Week, he also promoted the noken product he was wearing. Introducing noken to the outside world is certainly an opportunity for the Papuan people to promote and preserve noken. The use of noken, which is also suitable for use in formal activities, makes regional officials able to follow the example of Herwin Meiliantina Wanggai as a form of support for noken craftsmen so that they can maximize their potential and help promote selling noken to a wider market.
