Page 116 - Buku Ajar Mata Kuliah Dasar Umum Bahasa Inggris

Noken

Noken, a traditional Papuan bag, is more than a utilitarian item; it holds deep
symbolic meaning for the Papuan people, representing values like kinship, peace,
fertility, and identity. Made from tree bark fibers and natural dyes, noken is woven
by Papuan women and is used to carry everything from crops to babies.
Recognized as an "Intangible Heritage" by UNESCO, December 4 is celebrated
as "World Noken Day" to honor this unique aspect of Papuan culture.
In a recent discussion organized by the EcoNusa Foundation, experts,
including noken craftswomen, highlighted noken's cultural and economic
significance. Merry Dogopia, a noken craftswoman, explained that each Papuan
tribe has a unique style of weaving noken. She shared that a small noken takes
about one day to make, while larger ones can take up to a week. The crafting
process varies depending on the size and purpose of the bag, as smaller nokens
might be used for everyday items like cell phones, while larger ones can hold
crops.
Noken’s adaptability has also caught the attention of national designers.
Yurita Puji, a fashion designer, has promoted noken in her designs to showcase
Indonesian identity, incorporating the unique knit into accessible fashion. She
combines noken-inspired designs with common materials to make them more
affordable and market-friendly, hoping to increase awareness of this traditional
craft internationally.
EcoNusa Foundation’s Program Director, Muhamad Farid, emphasized the
deep connection between Papuans and their forests, where materials for noken
are sourced. He advocates for forest protection to preserve not only noken
materials but also the ecosystems that sustain Papuan life. Industrial activities that
harm these forests could sever these essential connections, impacting both the
indigenous communities and the environment.
Adapted from: econusa.id
(https://econusa.id/en/ecoblogs/noken-knitted-identity-of-papuans/)

After reading, answer the following questions based on the text.
1. What does noken symbolize for the Papuan people?

2. Who typically crafts noken, and how does the process vary?
3. How are designers like Yurita Puji promoting noken outside of Papua?

4. Why is forest conservation important for preserving noken and other aspects
of Papuan culture?

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