
West Papua Noken Festival Held in Jakarta
21 December, 2024Share:
West Papua Noken Festival Held in Jakarta

The West Papua Noken Festival, featuring diverse activities, aims to preserve and promote Noken as one of Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage items recognized worldwide.
The event was inaugurated by Minister of Culture Fadli Zon, accompanied by Deputy Minister Giring Ganesha, at Sarinah Mall, Jl. MH Thamrin, Central Jakarta, Indonesia, on Friday, December 20, 2024. Regional leaders from West Papua and several ambassadors of friendly nations also attended the event.
“This festival serves as a platform to preserve and promote Indonesia’s cultural heritage, which UNESCO has recognized,” said Fadli Zon during his opening speech.
The opening ceremony featured a Noken fashion show at Sarinah Mall, presented by Papuan youth. The audience marveled at the traditional Papuan outfits paired with Noken accessories designed by Yurita Puji, Agusta Bunay, and Prita S. Rogi.
Minister Fadli Zon expressed his vision for elevating Noken from a traditional item used by Papuan women in markets to a modern fashion statement. “Noken, when interpreted in the world of fashion, is captivating, unique, and highly distinctive. Its natural dyes and eco-friendly materials further enhance its appeal,” he explained.
What is Noken?
Noken is a traditional bag from Papua, carried on the head and crafted from bark fibers. It was inscribed as one of Indonesia’s Intangible Cultural Heritage items by UNESCO in 2012. For the Papuan people, Noken symbolizes life, resilience, and creativity, as well as diversity among tribes, with each group having its own name for the bag.
Celebrating Indonesia’s Rich Cultural Heritage
The festival also celebrated Indonesia’s other cultural achievements. A kebaya fashion show featured prominent women like Katharine Grace, wife of Fadli Zon, and Cynthia Ganesha, wife of Giring, along with senior actress Christine Hakim and actress Raline Shah. This fashion show marked UNESCO’s recent recognition of the kebaya as an intangible cultural heritage item on December 4, joining Noken and 12 other Indonesian cultural elements.
Fadli Zon highlighted the significance of these recognitions. “We celebrate traditions that unite us as a nation, bridging generations, connecting traditions, and inspiring the future,” he said. He emphasized UNESCO’s acknowledgment of the universal values of Indonesia’s cultural expressions, reinforcing the collective responsibility to preserve them for future generations.
Engaging Activities and Events
The Noken Festival runs from December 20 to 22, featuring an exhibition of Noken at Sarinah’s pavilion, an art market, Papuan music and dance performances, and workshops on Noken-making and Papuan sculpture carving. On the final day, a flash mob involving Papuan residents and cultural enthusiasts will coincide with Car-Free Day along Jl. MH Thamrin, accompanied by special performances from Nowela, Kaka Black Band, and dancers from the Kamoro tribe.
Through these activities, the Ministry of Culture aims to raise awareness of Noken as a vital aspect of Indonesia’s cultural and ecological heritage. However, the traditional crafting of Noken faces challenges, such as the replacement of natural materials with synthetic threads and the potential loss of traditional knowledge.
Call for Collaboration and Preservation
Fadli Zon reminded attendees that Noken serves as a powerful reminder of sustainability, resilience, and ecological awareness. “This celebration underscores our shared responsibility. Preserving cultural identity is not merely a matter of pride but a lifelong commitment,” he stated.
The Ministry of Culture has collaborated with local governments, cultural practitioners, and preservation groups such as the Maramowe Foundation to organize the festival. According to Fadli, this collaboration reflects the synergy needed across sectors to ensure that Indonesia’s cultural wealth thrives in modern society.
Fadli concluded with a hopeful message, “We hope this festival inspires all elements of the nation to work together to protect and advance our heritage for future generations. Cultural preservation is not the duty of one party alone but a shared responsibility for us all.”