Humans are always bound to social, cultural, historical, political, and tribal contexts which are manifestations of diversity in society. In addition, the entire context also provides characteristics of how a community group interacts with other communities and in their affairs with God. The existence of these beliefs adds to the cultural richness that exists in a community group as believed by indigenous people in Papua. There are various forms of culture that are still believed in and continue to be preserved by indigenous people. The existing culture has certain symbolic values which can then mean things such as a form of worship to God or to celebrate something related to humans, such as wedding celebrations, harvest celebrations, or for mourning. One form of culture owned by indigenous people in Papua is Bai. The indigenous people who introduced Bai are the Kaureh people. Bai is a container or basket used in daily community activities. The specialty of Bai is the manufacturing process which is considered sacred because it must use fronds from certain trees and the way it is made is by sewing, not weaving like other traditional baskets. The making of Bai should not be done carelessly. There are special tools that are used and should not be replaced, such as needles made from cassowary bones to sew the leaf stalks into baskets.
Bai as a basket is often used by women from the Kaureh indigenous community to collect food ingredients from the garden or forest such as agricultural products and fruits to then be taken home to fill the food supply in the kitchen. Bai is identical to women from the Kaureh indigenous community because they are the ones who are often seen using Bai in their daily activities. The use of Bai is also a form of responsibility from women who are able to ensure the availability of food for their families.
The meaning that can be learned from the form of Bai culture as a basket that carries food ingredients is how Bai as a legacy passed down through each generation of the Kaureh indigenous community is able to describe the identity of women who are strong and able to continue to be resilient in meeting the needs of their lives and those closest to them, especially family.
The Kaureh indigenous community, especially women, are taught to continue to preserve the Bai culture. So that the Bai owned by parents will be passed on to their daughters and this is done continuously. Bai is a durable basket because it is made with a traditional process that uses selected materials. The symbolic meaning of Bai that shows the strength, determination, perseverance, and specialness of women’s responsibilities makes Bai a distinctive identity of the Kaureh indigenous community. Bai embodies a positive relationship between humans in this case between family members where Bai is a symbol of fulfilling the family’s food needs. Although Bai as a basket can certainly be used to transport anything other than food. However, Bai has a primary function to transport food.