Thelandofpapua.com — The unique and vibrant handicrafts of Papua took center stage at the 2024 Kriyanusa Handicraft Exhibition, held at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Central Jakarta. The event, organized by the National Handicraft Council (Dekranas), served as a platform to promote and enhance the skills of Indonesian artisans. This year’s exhibition featured 444 booths, representing a diverse range of regional crafts from across the country, including six from Papua.

The Papuan booths, representing the Provinces of Papua, West Papua, Southwest Papua, Highland Papua, South Papua, and Central Papua, showcased the rich cultural heritage of Indonesia’s easternmost region. Visitors were treated to an array of traditional crafts, including woven fabrics, noken (traditional Papuan bags), intricately designed headpieces, wooden carvings, and handcrafted accessories like bracelets and necklaces.

Marowi Waibusi, a member of the Central Papua Dekranasda, highlighted the significance of noken in Papuan culture. “At the Central Papua Dekranasda booth, we specifically feature noken, the traditional Papuan bag. These bags are a product of the skilled craftsmanship of Papuan women,” she said.

Roufrida Gultom, Secretary of Southwest Papua Dekranasda, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the unique and diverse nature of the crafts on display. “There are many distinctive products, such as noken, grass cloth, traditional headpieces, woven fabrics, and even culinary delights,” Gultom stated.

The exhibition was opened by Wury Ma’ruf Amin, Chairperson of Dekranas and wife of Indonesia’s Vice President, Ma’ruf Amin. During her opening remarks, she emphasized the importance of promoting Indonesian handicrafts on the global stage. “We want to see Indonesian handicrafts not only thrive in the domestic market but also gain international recognition,” Wury stated.

With a theme of “Young Artisans Preserve Cultural Heritage,” the 2024 Kriyanusa Exhibition aimed to inspire a new generation of artisans to continue and innovate within Indonesia’s rich craft traditions. As one of the most anticipated events of the year, it drew significant interest from both artisans and the public, reinforcing the importance of preserving and promoting Indonesia’s cultural heritage through craftsmanship.

The event also highlighted the efforts of Dekranas in empowering local artisans, providing them with a platform to showcase their work, and helping them reach broader markets both at home and abroad.