TUGAS UAS ESPS 2

TRADISI IKI PALEK, SUKU DANI PAPUA

Assalamualaikum warahmatullahi wabarakatuh…

Hello guys,, welcome back again with me Nala Tazkia Azizid in my youtube channel..
As you know Indonesia has a lot of traditions that are still carried out among the people
who believe in it. Today I will tell’s about one of the unique traditions in Indonesia. This
tradition may look terrible but it is full of meaning. This tradition is called Iki Palek. This
tradition is carried out by the Dani people in the Baliem Valley, Papua. Iki Palek is a finger
cutting tradition. To ordinary people, of course, this tradition looks terrible, but to the Dani Tribe
it has a very deep meaning. The finger cut is done to express loyalty and a deep sense of loss for
family members who have died. For the tribes who live in Papua, togetherness is very important.
Therefore, when they lose a family member, they will immediately cut off their knuckles. The
cut fingers show how many of their relatives have died. Although the majority of women do this
tradition, men also do it as a form of sadness. Men show it by cutting the ear skin. According to
members of the Dani tribe, crying alone is not enough to symbolize the sadness they feel. The
pain of cutting a finger is thought to represent a heart and soul being torn apart by loss. In
addition, the reason they decided to carry out the Iki Palek tradition is because the finger is
considered a symbol of harmony, unity, and strength. This body part is also a symbol of living
together as one family, one clan, one house, one tribe, one ancestor, one language, one history
and one origin. In Papuan language, it is called "Wene opakima dapulik welaikarek mekehasik".
Sometimes, they tie the finger with a piece of string for some time until the blood flow
stops. When the blood flow has stopped then cutting the finger is done. In addition to the help of
sharp objects, the Dani are also used to using their teeth to cut their fingers. They will bite it off.
When combined, the shape and length of the fingers have the unity and strength to lighten
the load of all work. Each finger works together so that the hand can function perfectly. If you
lose one of them, it means that togetherness and strength will decrease. Usually members of the
Dani tribe will use a traditional ax or knife to cut their fingers. If the deceased is an old person
then two knuckles are cut off. If there are relatives then only one finger segment is cut. Before
being cut off, those whose fingers will be cut off recite a spell.
As long as the finger has been cut off, the Iki Palek tradition has been carried out. The
wound will be wrapped with leaves and it is estimated that one month later the wound will dry
up and become healed. The pain is unimaginable. However, as a sign of loyalty, this was all they
could do.
In addition to cutting their fingers, the Dani also take mud baths. It was done as a meaning
that all living things would also return to the ground. The attitude of obedience and respect for
their ancestors and a sense of love, togetherness towards the closest people belonging to the Dani
Tribe, made them willing to feel extreme pain through the procession. Hope by cutting the finger
is also so that they can forget the sadness soon.
The Iki Palek tradition has now begun to disappear due to the development of science and
religion. Even so, among the members of the Dani tribe, you can still find old people who have
lost their fingers as part of the Iki Palek tradition. In fact, some have lost all their fingers. People
will think that this tradition is terrible but Indonesia has a variety of unique cultures and must be
respected.
It is our duty as the younger generation to be able to respect and introduce this unique
tradition to other people. so that this tradition can be remembered and learn important lessons. so
many meanings conveyed in this tradition be it togetherness, equality, and mutual respect. that's
all I can tell about this Iki Palek tradition. continue to learn various traditions, culture, and
interesting things that exist in Indonesia. because it is our duty to study it and introduce
Indonesian culture to the world stage... Nala says goodbye to this, see you in the next video...
wass...