In the mountainous heart of Indonesia’s newest province, a quiet cultural revolution is unfolding. The Government of Papua Tengah (Central Papua) has declared every Thursday as “Noken and Local Language Day,” a weekly celebration intended to strengthen cultural identity, preserve linguistic heritage, and support local artisans.
On these Thursdays, government employees are required to carry or wear the noken—a handwoven bag recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity—and to use local languages in daily interactions, meetings, or community service. It’s a symbolic but powerful step, turning offices and classrooms into living spaces of cultural affirmation.
This initiative, following a similar policy earlier adopted by the Papua Provincial Government, illustrates a growing consciousness across the eastern region of Indonesia: that development should not mean detachment from heritage. In Papua Tengah, modernization now walks hand in hand with tradition—quite literally carried in the noken.
The Meaning Behind the Noken: More Than Just a Bag
The noken is no ordinary object. To the people of Papua, it embodies identity, resilience, and the intricate bond between humans and nature. Handcrafted mostly by women using bark fibers or plant threads, the noken serves countless purposes—from carrying food and babies to transporting harvests or sacred objects.
Its creation requires patience and cultural knowledge. In many villages, weaving a noken is a rite of passage—a marker of womanhood and social belonging. For generations, mothers have passed this skill to daughters, ensuring continuity of tradition. When UNESCO inscribed the noken in 2012 on its Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage, it acknowledged not only an art form but an entire worldview centered on sustainability and care.
Yet, like many indigenous crafts, the noken faces the risk of fading away. Younger Papuans, increasingly drawn to urban lifestyles, may see traditional crafts as outdated. As a result, fewer young women are learning to weave, and many local languages—often used in crafting rituals and storytelling—are being lost. The new policy seeks to reverse that tide by restoring cultural practices to public life.
Cultural Policy in Action: Thursday as a Symbol of Continuity
The Papua Tengah Provincial Government’s decree officially designates every Thursday as a day to wear the noken and use local languages. Civil servants, teachers, and students are encouraged—and in some departments, required—to follow this rule.
According to provincial officials cited by Tribun Papua Tengah, the policy emerged from a consensus among leaders of the eight districts within the province. It was inspired by similar initiatives in Papua Province, where public servants wear Papuan batik and carry noken every Thursday and Friday. The idea quickly gained traction in Papua Tengah, where the government wanted to combine aesthetic expression with cultural education.
Every Thursday, government buildings, schools, and even markets display a mosaic of colors—woven noken bags of various patterns and hues, each representing a tribal identity. Meetings begin with greetings in local languages. Radio stations broadcast short programs in the Mee, Moni, or Damal dialects. The result is a social rhythm that reminds everyone: Papua Tengah is not just a new administrative entity but a continuation of ancestral memory.
Language as the Soul of a People
For many linguists, the language component of this policy may be even more significant than the visual appeal of the token. Papua is one of the world’s most linguistically diverse regions—with over 250 languages spoken across its highlands and valleys. In Papua Tengah alone, dozens of indigenous tongues coexist, often within a few kilometers of one another.
However, according to Indonesia’s Language Development Agency (Badan Bahasa), more than half of these languages are endangered, as younger generations increasingly use Indonesian in schools, churches, and workplaces. The provincial government’s decision to designate a weekly local-language day is an attempt to normalize indigenous speech in official and social contexts.
By making language a public act rather than a private memory, Papua Tengah hopes to maintain intergenerational transmission. As one local teacher in Nabire told Papua Pos, “When we greet each other in our mother tongue every Thursday, we are not just speaking—we are reminding ourselves that our identity still breathes.”
Cultural Preservation Meets Economic Empowerment
Beyond its symbolic and linguistic impact, the policy also carries strong economic motivations. Each noken is handmade, taking days or weeks to produce. Traditionally, the craft sustains women’s cooperatives in villages across Nabire, Dogiyai, and Paniai. By mandating its use, the government creates a steady local market.
Local artisans now find renewed pride and demand for their work. Some women’s groups report that orders have doubled since the policy was introduced. In markets around Timika and Nabire, colorful stalls display freshly woven bags, and new designs merge traditional motifs with modern aesthetics to appeal to younger buyers.
This link between policy and economy ensures sustainability: culture preservation is no longer an act of nostalgia but a practical livelihood. Moreover, local officials have hinted that similar initiatives might soon extend to other traditional products—such as barkcloth clothing and wood carvings—tying economic development directly to cultural revitalization.
Challenges in Implementation
Despite the enthusiasm, challenges remain. The diversity of Papua’s languages presents logistical hurdles—which local languages should be prioritized each Thursday? How can government employees who come from different ethnic backgrounds communicate effectively while honoring the spirit of the policy?
Furthermore, there are concerns about superficial compliance. Some critics worry that if not properly monitored, the initiative may devolve into a mere ceremonial gesture—a day of costume rather than a genuine movement for preservation.
Experts have also pointed out the need for language documentation and training. Without proper resources, even enthusiastic officials may struggle to use local dialects fluently. To address this, Papua Tengah’s Education and Culture Office has begun collaborating with local universities to produce teaching materials, dictionaries, and digital archives of local folklore.
Cultural activists suggest that schools should play a larger role by integrating local language studies into the curriculum, ensuring that the policy becomes a foundation for the next generation rather than a fleeting event for adults.
Regional Solidarity: A Pan-Papuan Movement
Papua Tengah’s “Noken Thursday” is not an isolated experiment. Across Papua land, similar movements are gaining momentum. In January 2025, the Papua Provincial Government reaffirmed its own commitment by reminding civil servants to use noken and local languages on Thursdays and Fridays. The celebration of Hari Noken Nasional (National Noken Day) every December also serves as a reminder of the shared Papuan identity beyond provincial borders.
In many towns, these weekly rituals have turned into cultural festivals. Local dance troupes perform during lunch breaks, community groups organize storytelling sessions in indigenous languages, and artisans conduct weaving workshops for young employees. These organic activities breathe life into what could otherwise be a bureaucratic regulation, transforming it into a living tradition of pride and unity.
Between Tradition and Modernity: Redefining Development
What makes Papua Tengah’s initiative remarkable is its refusal to treat culture and progress as opposing forces. Too often, regional development in Indonesia—especially in frontier provinces—is measured in infrastructure, investment, and digital connectivity. Yet, for the people of Papua, true progress also means preserving the wisdom that has sustained their communities for centuries.
By weaving cultural preservation into governance, Papua Tengah is asserting that identity is a pillar of development. A society that forgets its language or abandons its crafts may build skyscrapers, but it risks losing its soul. In this sense, the “Noken and Local Language Thursday” is not just about attire or speech; it is about redefining what it means to be modern and Papuan at the same time.
Conclusion
Every Thursday, when civil servants sling their noken bags over their shoulders or carry them proudly into meetings, they are not merely following a rule—they are performing a collective act of remembrance. Inside each woven thread lies a story of identity, survival, and belonging. The revival of local languages and crafts is a reminder that cultural preservation is not the opposite of progress but its foundation.
As Papua Tengah continues to grow, its people are learning that the future can be carried—just like the noken—with both hands and heart. The success of this initiative will depend on consistency, education, and community participation. But for now, every Thursday in Papua Tengah stands as a living testament to cultural pride, linguistic diversity, and the enduring beauty of Indonesia’s eastern soul.