In a vivid celebration of identity, diversity, and peace, Papuan university students hailing from Teluk Bintuni Regency in West Papua held a cultural showcase in Yogyakarta over the weekend. The event, titled “Pergelaran Budaya Papua Pegunungan” (Highland Papua Cultural Festival), brought together dozens of students, local residents, cultural observers, and university representatives in a colorful display of traditional art, music, dance, and dialogue.
Held at a community center in downtown Yogyakarta, the festival served as a platform to introduce the cultural wealth of Papua Pegunungan — one of the newest provinces in Indonesia — and to break the negative stereotypes often associated with Papuan youth studying outside their homeland.
“This cultural event is our answer to prejudice. We want the public to see the real face of Papuan students: smart, peaceful, creative, and proud of our national identity,” said Matius Way, the head of the Teluk Bintuni student association in Yogyakarta.
Confronting Stigma with Culture
Papuan students, particularly those studying in major cities on Java Island, often face discrimination, misunderstanding, and racial stereotyping. Despite being part of the Republic of Indonesia, many Papuan students say they are perceived as outsiders or troublemakers due to political tensions and widespread misinformation about their home provinces.
But rather than respond with anger or isolation, the students from Teluk Bintuni chose a different path — cultural diplomacy.
Through traditional dances like Yospan and Wutukala, choral singing in local dialects, storytelling, exhibitions of handcrafted noken bags, wood carvings, and displays of tribal attire, the festival highlighted the beauty, diversity, and humanity of Papua Pegunungan — a region often overlooked or misrepresented.
“We believe culture is the most powerful way to change hearts,” said Rony Ibo, one of the event organizers. “We are not here to protest, we are here to educate, to share, and to unite.”
From Teluk Bintuni to Yogyakarta: A Message of Brotherhood
The students from Teluk Bintuni organized the event in collaboration with local student groups in Yogyakarta, with the aim of creating an inclusive and welcoming environment where dialogue replaces prejudice.
“We brought our culture from the mountains of Papua to the heart of Java,” said student representative Veronika Uamang. “Not to show that we are different — but to show that our differences enrich Indonesia.”
Visitors to the event were invited to participate in workshops on Papuan cooking, traditional storytelling, and basic language classes in the Lani and Mee dialects. A photo exhibition documented daily life in rural Papua, highlighting both the challenges and the resilience of the people.
The cultural night ended with a powerful musical collaboration between Papuan and Javanese students, symbolizing a spirit of brotherhood across islands and backgrounds.
Academic and Government Support
The initiative received strong support from local universities and cultural institutions in Yogyakarta. Faculty representatives from Gadjah Mada University, Universitas Negeri Yogyakarta, and several community organizations praised the students’ leadership and expressed a commitment to inclusivity on campus.
“This is more than a performance — it is a movement for social understanding,” said Dr. Widi Prasetyo, a lecturer in anthropology at UGM. “Papuan students are making a powerful statement: that unity is not about uniformity, but mutual respect.”
The government of Teluk Bintuni Regency also sent its endorsement via video message, applauding the students for becoming cultural ambassadors and agents of peace. “This generation of Papuan youth carries the future of Papua — and of Indonesia,” said a Teluk Bintuni cultural affairs official. “We fully support their mission to build bridges and erase the shadows of stigma.”
Youth Building Peace from the Ground Up
The festival also opened space for dialogue about youth empowerment, education access in Papua, and the importance of peacebuilding through local initiative. Panels held during the event featured student leaders discussing their experiences navigating stereotypes, dealing with academic pressure, and staying connected to their identity far from home.
One student, Yulius Marani, shared how the arts had helped him overcome alienation. “When I perform our traditional dances, I remember who I am. But when people applaud, I also realize that others are listening — that they care. That gives me hope.”
For many, the event was a reminder that Papuan students are not only victims of negative narratives — they are active contributors to Indonesian civil society, capable of shaping public opinion and influencing positive change.
A Call for National Unity Through Cultural Understanding
In a time when polarization and misinformation can easily spread, particularly on social media, events like Pergelaran Budaya Papua Pegunungan offer an alternative path forward — one rooted in authentic human connection.
“The nation is not just built by laws and policies,” said Dr. Ayu Prameswari, a cultural analyst who attended the event. “It is built by people who care enough to understand one another, who listen, who share. These students are doing the work that all of us should be doing.”
As the night came to a close, attendees gathered for a communal Papuan meal — sweet potatoes, cassava, grilled fish, and traditional daun gedi soup — eaten in the spirit of togetherness. Javanese, Papuan, Batak, and Minangkabau students sat side-by-side, sharing food, laughter, and stories. It was an image of the unity that the event sought to inspire.
Conclusion
The cultural event hosted by Papuan students from Teluk Bintuni was more than an evening of performances. It was a declaration of identity, a challenge to prejudice, and a vision of a more inclusive Indonesia.
As tensions in parts of Papua continue to make national headlines, this peaceful and joyful gathering in Yogyakarta offers an alternative story — one told not with guns or protests, but with drums, dances, and dreams. It is a story of youth rising, of bridges being built, and of a nation rediscovering itself through the strength of its diversity.
In the hands of these young Papuan leaders, the future of Indonesia appears not only united, but beautifully and unapologetically colorful.
