It is common knowledge that cultural diversity in Indonesia is full of colors that cannot be manipulated. The total population of Indonesia is around more than 275 million individuals spread throughout Indonesia, Sabang to Merauke which spread to inhabit various regions with diverse geographical conditions, from mountains to coastlines, forest edges to wilderness, lowland and high, rural, to urban.

Not stopping there, diversity in Indonesia is not only about culture, but also on religion and transcendental beliefs, including in community life, procedures, mindsets, habits, and also interactions between community members. How diverse Indonesian society is makes its members will not easily avoid friction in life conflicts between communities.

1. Harmonization can occur if there is harmony in cultural diversity

illustration of diversity (unsplash.com/Hannah Bushings)

Today there are often various conflicts that become a consequence of diversity, especially those who do not understand pluralism in the nation as a form of harmony. There are many examples of events that occur because of this matter, even though awareness of the plurality of different cultures makes it possible to learn unique ways of communicating with each other so that the spirit of cultural diversity continues to sprout and become a seed of harmony.

Harmonization in response to socio-cultural diversity occurs if there is harmony, and harmony in cultural, linguistic, and social diversity is a reflection of Bhineka Tunggal Ika, which means that differences remain one thing. Following the harmonization of socio-cultural diversity, there are divine, unity, humanitarian, popular and justice values that have been mixed in the values of Pancasila have become the basis for the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia which is an ideology and basic value that need not be questioned because it is absolute for the life of the nation and state.

2. Papuan society and the application of Pancasila in the earth of paradise

Traditional dances from Papua performed in various sports in the XX Papua PON event. (IDN Times/Tata Firza).

In the implementation of national values instilled by Pancasila, especially in community life on Cenderawasih Earth, it has been running for a long time. Mutual respect between people in Papua has always been maintained until now. A simple example is the diversity between communities can be seen by the diversity of tribes originating from various regions in Indonesia who inhabit the easternmost land in Indonesia which triggers the spirit of mutual cooperation in development. Tolerance in community life in Papua is quite high.

For example, the existence of the Religious Community Communication Forum (FKUB), the Papua Cross Harmony Communication Forum (FORKOM-LKN), and also the Paguyuban Nusantara Solidarity (Sopan) forum established by local communities have shown a high shared commitment towards one goal for Papua to rise, be independent and prosperous. So that the harmony between the groups that are members of these forums becomes a very strong bond in development in the easternmost province of Indonesia.

Safeguarding the diversity of society is not only fought for by people who commune in certain groups, but the government also takes a role in maintaining the harmony of the Papuan people. The Papua Provincial Government (Pemprov) also considers Pancasila as the nation’s ideology, becoming the foundation of development in all aspects including in Papua. Head of the Papua Provincial Communication and Information Office, Jery Yudianto explained, the government paid attention to strengthening the values of Pancasila through technical institutions, namely the National and Political Unity Agency (Kesbangpol) and formed a Mental Revolution Team.

According to Jery, the team consists of multi-stakeholders with the aim of providing ideological strengthening of Pancasila at all levels, as well as a forum for preventing radicalization. He also explained that the Papua Provincial Government highly respects the cultural values of development through what he referred to as “one three-stone furnace”, namely custom, religion, and government to achieve common progress. “Through a strong foundation, we can realize a prosperous independent Papua that is just,” he explained.

Coexistence After being declared as a zone of harmony, religious and cultural people certainly live side by side and respect becomes one of the important factors in realizing it. Especially with all the cultural diversity that exists in Papua, it is a strong reason to keep there is no friction that results in division. The reason is, the power of harmony is what finally builds Papua more and more days towards changes for the better.

3. People unite with prosperity

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250 students in Jayapura performed a colossal dance at the opening ceremony of the VI 2022 Congress of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago (KMAN) at Barnabas Youwe Sentani Stadium, Jayapura Regency, Papua last October. This colossal dance represents diverse activities in the daily lives of Papuans such as sago bowling, gardening, rowing boats and knitting noken.

Jayapura Regent Mathius Awoitauw said there were 2,500 members of indigenous peoples from various regions in Indonesia attending KMAN VI. This event also involved all indigenous peoples of the archipelago from Sabang to Merauke.

“We invite all people to maintain security during KMAN VI. Papua is a home for peace and anyone who comes here. Brothers and sisters of the indigenous people of the archipelago from indigenous communities from Aceh, Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, and so on gather with the diversity that we have for the unity and unity of Indonesia,” he added.

At the same time, the Lake Sentani Festival is also being held, a festival that presents the natural beauty, art and traditions of Papua that have been maintained for generations. In this festival there will be a lot of acculturation and cultural fusion in Papua.

The festival, which has existed since 2007, has become an annual festival that is widely attended by local and foreign tourists. This festival is a testament to the maintenance of unity and unity among fellow tribes, races, religions. Nationalism is very thick intertwined among others, forgetting differences and rejoicing between hundreds of tribes in Papua.

“I believe that the future of our world and nation lies in the uniqueness and local wisdom of the people in the villages and the various local wisdom of the local community,” Mathius said commenting on the diversity in Papua.

Diversity, unity and development are inseparable synergies. The stronger the unity in the midst of differences, the faster development and prosperity will be achieved.

Indonesian Vice President Ma’ruf Amin when giving a speech at the virtual Declaration of Peace Papua event organized by the Papuan Indigenous Peoples Institute last June said cooperation between related parties in the process of accelerating Papua’s development was needed. This can help the realization of the acceleration of Papuan welfare development, namely the indigenous Papuan people (OAP). According to him, various policies cannot only involve traditional elders or office holders.

“I believe the acceleration of Papua’s development will soon be realized, because traditional leaders and all local elements, Indigenous Papuans (OAP) are ready to work hand in hand and actively participate in developing the Land of Papua,” said Ma’ruf

Ma’ruf also conveyed that efforts to promote peace and the spirit of unity in the Land of Papua are in line with the government’s commitment through various regulations and affirmative policies provided.

With that, the unity in Papua will further support the government’s efforts to accelerate development in Papua and West Papua. With the unification of various elements in Papua, the faster development will be realized which has an impact on the welfare of all its people. 

Author: JS

Travel Vlogger, Journalist,