The noken of West Papua is far more than a mere bag or carrier. It embodies a profound cultural significance for the people of West Papua in general, and particularly for those in Baliem Valley, Wamena, Jayawijaya Regency, Papua Pegunungan Province, West Papua, Indonesia

Within the Baliem indigenous community, the noken holds a special place, playing a vital role in daily social and cultural activities.  There are eight distinct classifications of noken in West Papua, each with its unique purpose and function, catering to specific needs in daily life and traditional ceremonies.

The noken’s patterns and colors vary across different regions of Papua Pegunungan Province, such as Baliem and Lanny. These unique designs serve as identifiers of the communities from which they originate.

Types of Noken in Baliem

The Baliem people recognize eight types of noken: Su Segerakhi, Su Ewe, Su Aga, Su Hele Kagailek, Su Hanom Su, Su Himpiri Su, Su Inamporawie, and Inukuluak Su.

Noken Su Segerakhi: This elongated noken, without a carrying strap, plays a crucial role in death rituals. It symbolizes the settlement of debts, traditionally accompanied by a stone axe. This noken remains in the men’s honai (traditional Papuan house) and is not carried around.

Noken Su Ewe:  This noken serves as a container within another noken, used after the performance of specific rituals by the Baliem Valley community.

Noken Su Aga:  Mothers use this noken to completely cover their babies, protecting them from elements like wind, direct sunlight, and insects.

Noken Su Himpiri Su:  Farmers use this noken to transport their harvest from the fields to their homes or the market.

Noken Su Hanom Su:  Both men and women use this noken for travel, carrying their necessities. Men typically wear it on their arm, while women carry it on their head.

Noken Su Hele Kagailek:  This noken features in mawe marriage ceremonies, signifying a woman’s transition from maidenhood to motherhood. It is placed first among other noken as a symbol of this change in status.

Noken Su Inamporawie:  Exclusively used by women, this noken covers their backside. In Baliem culture, it is taboo for women to walk without carrying something on their back, signifying their status and honor.

Noken Inukuluak Su:  This noken serves as a hat for the people of the Highland Papua region, particularly in Baliem Valley.

Preserving Authenticity

Maria Logo, leader of the Noken Suara Hati Ibu group in Jayawijaya Regency, emphasizes that all eight types of noken are crafted from natural materials. These materials are becoming increasingly scarce in Jayawijaya, requiring sourcing from neighboring regencies like Mamberamo Tengah and Yalimo.

Concerned that younger generations view the noken as an ordinary bag, Maria Logo advocates for raising awareness about its cultural significance. She believes that everyone must contribute to educating the youth about the noken as a sacred legacy.

She consistently urges the preservation of traditional noken-making techniques and promotes ongoing training programs.  She encourages mothers to teach their daughters the art of noken weaving, ensuring the transmission of this cultural heritage to future generations.