Sociology and Cultural Anthropology

18120223132

MKT22INTL

Boy Ferdin, S,E.

7 Elements of Universal Culture about Amungme tribe

2019
Introduction:
The Amungme tribe is one of the tribes living in the highlands of Central Papua. This
tribes has 13,000 people and has their own unique style of living which is moving from one
place to another as well as their daily hunting. The Amungme tribe inhabits several broad
valleys in the Mimika district and Puncak Jaya regency among high mountains namely the
Tsinga valley, the Hoeya valley, and the Noema valley as well as small valleys such as the
Bella, Alama, Aroanop, and Wa Valleys. There are also Amungme tribes that live in the
lowland in Timika and Agimuga, these people are known as Damal tribe and Kamoro.
The meaning of the word Amungme itself consists of two words "amung" which means
playing and "mee" which means human. The Amungme people came from the area of Pagema
near the Baliem valley of Wamena. "Kurima" which means the place where the Amungmealah
people gather their first traditional house called Honai, which was created by using Reeds.
Furthermore, the amount of the Amungme tribe nowadays is approximately 13,000 peoples
including both lands high and low. These people are bound to their holy lands which were
found by their elders, they are a mountain place and they should look after it. moreover, the
mountain that was used by PT Freeport to get the gold and cooperating on their mountain which
they called Nemang Kawi.

An image of Amungme and Kamoro peoples, who one live in the highland and one
in the lowland.

1.1 Language
1.1 Language
The Amungme tribe has two languages that are often used by two tribes of Amungme. For
example, the language is used by the general community in the northern region, but the
language is used by people living in the south region. Besides, the tribe of Amung is also known
to have a symbolic language namely Aro-a-cal which is quite difficult to understand and
 communicate. And as well as Tebo-a-kal, a symbolic language that is spoken when in an area
that is sacred is considered.
The Amungme tribe is located 6000 km above the sea level, with different geographical
locations of four tribes such as the Damal tribe in the northern border, Kamoro in the southern,
Moni in the eastern, and Nduga in the western border. These four different borders have two
languages according to their borders, like the Amungme or Moni language, and those who live
in Alama will use Amungme or Nduga, while people in Agimuga and Hoya village they use
Kamoro and Nduga.
This tribe is almost the same as the Damal tribe in terms of traditional customs, the language
of livelihoods and other habits that are very unique and diverse. Amungme and Damal, have
the same clan, the Uamang clan, Kelabetme, Kum, and many other clans, but also as a language
accent, such as English and Dutch only distinguish it from its accent.
In addition to the basic words, verbs, adjectives, nouns, etc.
No B.Amungme B.Indonesia
1 Nie Mama
2 Nerege Bapa
3 Nane Kakak
4 Nigago Adik
5 Neugo Tanta
6 Nagaremo Oom
7 Nale Anak
8 Naoh Kakak Perempuan
9 Nenggele Adik Perempuan
10 Namumo Paman
11 Neme Teman
12 Ipar Nawuwo

 Kata Benda/Nouns

No. B.Amungme B.Indonesia

1 Koamwi Pakaian
2 Inomon Rumah
3 Delop Bulan
4 Dingorang Bintang
5 Ogolal Buku
6 Ongom Pena
7 Eromogol Sayur
8 Erom Petatas
9 Nok Nei Sepatu
10 Oragam Galung
11 Agawek Gelang
12 Wii Noken
 Kata Kerja/Verbs

No. B.Amungme B.Indonesia

1 Borate Masak
2 Tie Jalan
3 Tenye Pergi
4 Denyao Bawa
5 Tuo Makan
6 O –Jite Mandi
7 Kuagate Tidur
8 A-Oh Mari
9 Pet Lompat
10 O-Tuo Minum Air
11 wibulite Cuci Pakaian
12 Amite Bangun

 Kata Sifat/Adjectives

No. B.Amungme B.Indonesia

1 Ama-E Baik
2 Nakalimo Gila
3 Tomo Benar
4 Nogop-Ma Sakit
5 Newel Kecil
6 Nema Manis
7 Nang Terang
8 Arigan Dekat
9 Tol Panjang
10 Oragot Bulmame Kaya
11 Oragot Kamame Miskin
12 Nenei-E Lucu
Kata Keterangan/Adverbs

No. B.Amungme B.Indonesia

1 Lutung Siang
2 Dugumut Sore
3 Dukop Malam
4 Amole Selamat
5 Ungko Bisa/Cukup
6 Enago Ini
7 Eago Itu
8 Dup Pagi
9 Tolgung Tinggi
10 Tene-Uo Jauh
11 Natdokj Rahasia
12 Tewat Angin
 Kata Tanya/Question Mark

No. B.Amungme B.Indonesia

1 Tama Mowiare Darimana
2 Tam Niwiare Kemana
3 Temenge Dimana
4 Tuwiare Bagaimana
5 Tumae Kenapa
6 Tulane Untuk Apa
7 Tet Nolane Makan Apa
8 Temea Ingamo Milik Siapa
9 Aruo Bilang
10 Ulamot Tanee Jam Berapa
11 Tenye Pergi

1.2 Knowledge
The Amungme tribe believed that they were the first descendants of the firstborn of the
nation's people, which lived north and south of the central mountains which were always
covered in eternal snow. That is called nemangkawi (white arrow) in their language.The
location of the Amungme Region itself is an extreme area. Because of the harsh nature of the
mountains, this has shaped the character of the Amungme community to be hard, non-
compromise, fair and gentlemen and always take preventive actions in all activities so that the
Amungmme tribe considers themselves conquerors and heirs of the amungsa from their hands
Nagawan Into (God).
Furthermore, the Amungme tribe is very attached to their ancestral land. They consider the
mountain to be a sacred place. The mountain that was used as gold mining by PT Freeport is a
sacred mountain that is greatly glorified. The Amungme people call it Nemang Kawi. Nemang
means arrow and Kawi means holy, so Nawang Kawi is a holy arrow or meaning free of war
or peace. The territory of the Amungme Tribe is called Amungsa.

Result of the extracting gold in Tembagapura

 In addition to this, the concept of land, humans and the natural environment has integral
meaning in everyday life. The land is described as a figure of a mother who feeds, nurtures,
educates and raises from an infant to an elderly person and eventually dies. Land with its habitat
environment is seen as a place of residence, gardening, hunting and burial as well as the
residence of spirits and spirits of the ancestors so that there are several land locations such as
caves, mountains, waterfalls and graves considered as sacred places.
Moreover, in the concept of food and traditional medicines that are often used, for example,
for food, among means often eat the results from what they get from the forest, one example is
wild boar. However, there are some special foods that the amungme people cannot eat due to
history and customs that they believe in. Dogs are the most strictly forbidden food by the
Amungme chief to the public not to eat dogs because dogs are part of the amungme community
landlords. As for medicines, Amungme society still depends on traditional things such as
potions or special healing rituals. But because of the entry of PT Freeport, some of the
Amungme tribe can get better healing and more complete facilities
1.3 Social Organization
The Amungme tribe is one of those tribes that often surrounded by the conflicts with
the new rulers of the land of Papua who only come just to take their natural wealth which is
gold and copper. Papua have always been well known for their gold in Tembagapura, therefore
it is not surprising that America is very strong with their currency as the amount of gold they
can get from Tembagapura is extremely huge. As according to the senior manager of Mil
Concentrating PT Freeport Indonesia, mentioned that "Every day, the amount of ore that can
be produced is approximately 210 thousand tons with their installed capacity of 240 thousand
tons, in every 1 ton of ore there is a gold content of about 1 gram”. However, their natural
wealth still retains in some cultures activities or community life, as some activities and habits
are still maintained today are the techniques of creating fire using rattan wood and forest
bamboo.
In addition to this, for the marriage process of this tribe is can say complicated as to be
officially done the assets that must be handed over in the marriage process are pigs, leather,
and a huge amount of cash. This traditional Burning stone (Bakar Batu) is so expensive due to
the number of the pig that must be provided from the man which is 15 pigs following with
breed skin, minimum cash of 50 million up to 100 million. Moreover, the characterisric of
Amungme people is very common to be kind, therefore whenever they receive a guest from
other villages or tribes, they usually honoured them with a traditional gathering where they sit
and eat together as a family.
 Lastly, just like what has been mention in the previous page, there are two different
languages spoken in each border like Moni, Damal, Amungme, and Kamoro. Each of these
tribes who located in different border they know each other in the meaning that each tribe has
its characteristics and special clans (last name) which some can be considered a leaders, who
they believe on . in addition to this, to become a leader it is not always determinate by a lineage
but can also emerge naturally by the process of time and social situation as well as the
ecological environment influence traditional leadership behaviour at their own cultural level.

The ceremony during the process of Bakar Batu

The Amungme tribe has a variety of clans that are above the Amungsa land of Mimika Regency
starting from the villages of Bella, Alama, Opiliga, Noema, Jila, Hoya, Stinga, WaaBanti,
Aroanop, Agimuga, and Kota Timika. These villages have several clans as follows:
Egatmang Omaleng

Uamang Natkime

Kelabetme jamang

Kum Magal
Jawame beanal
Amisim Tenbak
Anggaibak Omabak
Alomang Onawame
Stugumol Murib
 Dolame Oaamang
Kwalik Piligame

.Katagame Amokwame

Amingkawak Aim

Dimpau Kasiamol

Diwitau Mesawarol

Janampa Tsunme

Bugaleng Dekme
Senawatme
Mamukang Me
Obagame Jamang
Ogolmagai Uamang
Oneyona Mang
Ilimagai Alomang
Steanum Aminisim
Wandik Misini
Pinimet Magai

1.4 Technology

The livelihood of the Amungme tribe is to plant, hunt, farm. The uniqueness of the
Amungme tribe is from its livelihood by farming. Coffee is a satisfying result, not only for
people's consumption, but this coffee is produced in various regions and adds to community
producers. Amungme tribe in Mimika Regency, Papua can now reap the benefits of their coffee
land. From limited sales to expatriates, Amungme coffee can now explore Papua. There are
also vegetables - vegetables such as cabbage, pumpkin, spinach, carrots, corn, papaya, in the
highlands but now the lowland part of Amungsa can grow rice in Mimika regency.
 Residents of the Amungme tribe have hunting livelihoods, even though hunting is not the
main livelihood (principal) diamungsa. In addition to being done as a livelihood, hunting is
also carried out as a hobby or hobby of Amungme residents. This makes hunting become one
of the livelihood systems that are quite calculated.

As for some animals that are prey to the prey of the Amungme tribe, wild boar, cuscus,
monitor lizards, cassowary, cockatoo and crocodiles. These animals are carried out in
secondary forests, abandoned fields that have been left behind, on the banks of rivers and also
in the primary jungle. Hunting was carried out using simple weapons, such as spears, machetes,
arrows, sticks, and other traditional tools in the form of traps. The most famous hunting method
in the Amungme tribe is hunting by bringing dogs to the forest, with dogs can get the results
of hunting quickly

Raising livestock is another aspect of the economy of the Amungme tribe of Mimika
District, Papua which is related to the financial system. The main purpose is not to fulfil their
own needs for meat, but to obtain shellfish money or a medium of exchange for the Amungme
tribe known as spam.

The division of roles in the Amungme family positions women who take care of their livestock.
But a man can also do it, his garden for men who do not have a wife, mother, or sister is allowed
to take care of their livestock. While young people often consider themselves unfit to take care
of livestock.

Most Amungme people make pigs as livestock. Because the maintenance of pigs is most
beneficial for people with weak economies, during customary parties, the opening of any
building, they are obliged to bring per person a pig recorder. In a traditional party. when raising
pigs they place them in a cage, and also not in a fenced place. They let livestock pigs roam and
forage around the yard until the time they sell / traditional parties and so on.

1.5 Occupation
Amungme is a tribe that lives within the Kwamki village area, as part of the urban area of
Timika, East Mimika district, and other groups residing in Lembang Arowandap and Alama,
including Agimuga District. These two sub-districts are part of the Fakfak Regency region,
Papua. The residence area of the Amungme group is often located in a forest environment
located at an altitude of 3,000 meters above sea level. And to a certain extent, the village of
Kwamki can be reached by land vehicles or by the river, however due to the lack of road it
must be done by foot which result around seven hours to arrive.
In addition to this, Akimuga sub-district can be reached through the river by rowing boat
for three days and continued by walking for two days. This remote area can also be reached by
Cessna type aircraft or helicopters. In 1939 when the Catholic Missionaries entered, in this sub-
district also in 1971 the super modern city of Tembagapura was built, which in 1991 had a
population of 5,000. Around Tembagapura, the Amungme settlement area with a life that is
not feasible, for example, many children lack nutrition, with minimal clothing such as koteka.
In 1981, Amungme people in Kwamki village registered around 3,000 people. Population data
in East Mimika Sub-district in 1990 showed that there were 25,000 people scattered in eight
villages. Some Amungme people in the later years in Kwamki village or other villages in the
sub-district are unclear. In 1991 the population of the Akimuga District was around 15,000 and
the majority of the people were Amungme.
Amungme people who are characterized by Melanesoid have their language, namely
Amungme language used in communication between their fellow people.
With people outside the group, they use Indonesian as a means of communication. Amungme
people are neighbours with several other groups. In the east, they are next to the Moni and Mee
(Ekagi) people, in the west neighbouring the Lani people and the Ndugwa people, while the
Nafaripi people live in the south.
1.6 Religion
Similar to the Asmat tribe which is the largest in Papua, the Amungme tribe also have
animistic beliefs. But what makes different is that the Asmat tribe strongly believes in the
existence of a god who is separated by nature, while the tribe of anism does not have an idea
related to a deity that is separate from nature where the spirit of the god and nature become the
same. Moreover, in the belief of the Amungme tribe, it believed that they were the first children
of the firstborn son of man and were also the main heirs of the land of nagawan into (God).
1.7 Arts
Aside from Asmat being the largest tribe in West Papua, the Amungme tribe also
contributes many elements of culture that are characteristic of the Papuan culture in general. In
the Amungme tribe, Angaye-angaye is an ancient song, the same with No emki un-taye is a
song that have always been singing as a traditional song for the people of Amungme. Moreover,
in the field of music art, the Amungme tribe also contributes to one of the traditional tools
known from Papua as Tifa. This traditional music tools is often use during the dance ceremony.
 Furthermore, In the branch of fine arts, as a tribe that depends on its life on hunting
activities, there are various kinds of tools that are created, one of which is noken which is a bag
of woven plant roots or rattan. Apart from these tangible arts, there is one of the most well-
known among cultures, which are known as Stone-burning ceremony (Bakar Batu) is a
tradition that develops and becomes one of the important traditions in the Amungme tribe that

serves to welcome happiness at birth, as a sign of gratitude, death, and also to gather soldiers
to fight. In the process, the stone will be stacked and burned and then put the pig which was
first harvested by the tribal head on the stone. They offered pig must be ground to death as a
sign of the success of the tradition of burning stone.
Additionally, the traditional dance of the Amungme tribe is Suanggi dance, which they dance
in a circle and they are also some who do Seka which is a dance where they play their feet
together in a rectangular shape while singing their songs. Besides, their traditional jewellery is
generally very unique and important for them such as Koteka, Cassowary feathers, wings of
parrot, pig teeth and the most common one Noken.
Reference:

http://bahasamungkal.blogspot.com/2014/05/perjemaan-bahasa-amungme-ke-

indonesia_7.html

https://www.romadecade.org/suku-papua/#!

https://ilmuseni.com/seni-budaya/kebudayaan-suku-amungme

https://www.liputan6.com/bisnis/read/3622473/dalam-sehari-berapa-produksi-freeport-di-

papua

http://egatmangme.blogspot.com/2014/04/sejarah-amungme.html

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