By: Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto (*)
PAPUAINSIDE.ID, JAYAPURA—For the first time in the last 1.5 centuries, the Indigenous Namblong community witnessed the sacred inauguration of the Chief of Namblong Tribal Council (DAS), Bernard Demotekay.
The ceremony marked the revival of a cultural identity nearly lost to the pressures of modernity. This historic moment took place at the Namblong Tribal Council house in Nembukrang Sari Village, Nimbokrang District, Jayapura Regency, on Friday (28 November 2025), despite the light rain that fell over the Grime Nawa area.
The ritual was led by Nimbrod Wouw, the Iram of the Wouw Clan from Ombrop Village, who placed a traditional crown and draped a noken over Bernard Demotekay — a symbol of the responsibility to protect and uphold the community’s wellbeing.
The ceremony also included the reading of a declaration in the Namblong language, affirming the mandate for the Chief of the Tribal Council to safeguard, preserve, and uphold cultural values.
The inauguration was witnessed by Jayapura Regent Yunus Wonda and representatives of the local government.
Bernard Demotekay described the moment as a turning point for the Namblong people.
“For roughly 1.5 centuries, our traditions have been eroded by modernisation. With this inauguration, we begin the process of restoring and reclaiming the identity of the Namblong people,” he said.
The Regent emphasised the importance of respecting customary order and recognising the Tribal Council as a symbol of dignity:
“This institution must stand firm to protect all members of the community — children, widows, single parents, and orphans. Everyone must be served,” said Yunus Wonda.
Yohana Tarkou, CEO of Namblong’s Indigenous Peoples’ Corporation (BUMMA) PT Yombe Namblong Nggua, welcomed the inauguration, noting that the Tribal Council initiated the development of the BUMMA to serve as the tribe’s Indigenous Territory governance and economic institution, a platform for community empowerment and the stewardship of local natural resources.
This inauguration also marks the stronger community governance and stewardship of natural-cultural wealth, under the management of the Namblong’s Indigenous Peoples’ Corporation, BUMMA PT Yombe Namblong Nggua. Mitra BUMMA, the partner of the BUMMA, was also present in the event and is grateful to walk alongside BUMMA Namblong and the tribe in nurturing, strengthening, and celebrating the wealth of Namblong cultural heritage.
For the Namblong people, the inauguration of Bernard Demotekay represents more than the appointment of tribal leader — it symbolises the resurgence of cultural identity once on the brink of disappearance. As the rain subsided and the sky cleared, the ceremony became a beacon of hope for the preservation of ancestral heritage and the strengthening of the Indigenous Peoples of Namblong. **
(*) CEO Mitra BUMMA
Note: The original in Bahasa article was first published on Papuainside.id and translated into English by Ambrosius “Ruwi” Ruwindrijarto, Mitra BUMMA.
Other Supporting Media :
LinkedIn Ambrosius Ruwindrijarto
LinkedIn Mitra BUMMA
www.mitrabumma.com
www.komunitasmenoken.org
