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behind myth by referring to the dictionary that actually puts the myth as a tradition from
prehistoric times, which is usually associated with a god or a power of nature personified
in a particular context. Such an explanation is then weakened, ‘myths’ often being a story
that does not contain the truth (logical) but is treated as true. In terms of anthropology,
the dictionary meaning above is irrelevant because the researchers of anthropology also
go deeper into groups of people who believe myth as truth, and especially religious truth.
In this perspective, myth is an integral part of a living belief among a number of nations
(Van Baal, 1987).
Both the Marind-Anim People in Papua, and Biboki People in Timor and Mambai
People in East Timor, have always carefully shown magical respect when they are telling
the myths passed down from generation to generation. Therefore, the issue that must
be taken seriously, with regard to ‘presentation of myth’, is that the story is often not
sufficiently understood by ‘outsiders’ (new comers) who do not understand the social
context of the myth when it was recorded. Moreover, there are a lot of the same myths
using local languages (local terms) that are difficult to understand because of using
terms whose meanings are not easily captured and understood. When asked ‘why
it should be presented in a language that is not very clear’. The answer is that it has
been like that from the past, and we do not have the authority to recite it differently
from the way we inherited it. An agreement among experts on myths was reached, and
then a formulation emerged stating that a story within the framework of the system
is something religious in the past or in the present and it used to be or is still valid as a
religious truth (Neonbasu, 2011a).
There are a thousand and one ‘local wisdoms’ in Melanesian societies that can be
studied from oral tradition, especially to write history or to enhance the personal dignity
of the society. Although in reality, oral tradition is not the only material to write the history
of an area with higher accuracy. Similar oral traditions in certain aspects has proven to be
a means to unveil the history of an area. Yet in reality, it has to be admitted that many
people often disregard oral traditions. The reason for ‘the authority’ or ‘the power of oral
tradition’ to uncover a history is often questioned. It is due to the system of oral inheritance
by word of mouth (without any written accounts or records) and also the absence of a law to
support the authority inheritance system (Hägerdal, 2012, Neonbasu, 2011a, Nongkas and
Tivinarlik, 2004, Vansina, 1965). Behind the curtain of oral tradition lies local wisdom, which
can be used as a starting point to write something carefully (Danandjaja, 1994, Fox, 1988,
Gossen, 1974, Neonbasu, 2011a, Rosaldo, 1980, Schulte-Nordholt, 1971, Vansina, 1965).

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