Page 78 - THE MELANESIA DIASPORA FILE CETAK ISI 10022017

adopted aspects of Melanesian culture, such as making use of sago, banana and caladium
(Mahmud, 2011).
Betel chewing is still common in the Papuan community. This habit is assumed to
be adopted from the Austronesian speaking population, but it has also been suggested
that this it was originally from Indonesia. The first indication of betel chewing is found in
a human grave dated back 3,000 BC at Duyong Cave in the Philippines (Rooney, 1993).
At the Spirit Cave in north-west of ‘Thailand, burned areca seeds dated 7,000 – 5,500 BC
were also found (Bellwood, 1979), but determining whether they had any connection with
betel chewing needs further research. Another source was in the records made by Chinese
merchants. These records indicate that betel leaf and areca seed had been consumed since
the 2nd century BC, as part of the betel chewing tradition (Gorman, 1970).
If all the findings and the records above were correct, the betel chewing tradition was
known in south-east Asia during the Neolithic era, through the proto-historic era, and
it has been a commonly practiced activity up until the present. Nowadays, among the
Austronesian speaking population, this tradition is no longer popular. They have begun
to leave the betel chewing tradition behind. Only certain tribes, mostly older people, who
live far away from urban areas, keep this tradition alive. On the other hand, among the
population of Melanesians, especially Papuan people, betel chewing is still preserved.
It is not only done by females, but also by males. This adopted culture is well-preserved
because just like cigarettes, in the beginning it is meant to eliminate the discomfort. But,
along the way it becomes a habit and it is not easy to quit. Betel-chewing has a number of
functions, such as keeping the teeth healthy, strengthening brotherhood and offerings in
traditional ceremonies, which can keep this tradition alive. Another factor is the influence
of modern culture. The influence in the western part of Indonesia is stronger than in eastern
part of Indonesia. So, the betel-chewing tradition is getting abandoned in the west part of
Indonesia while in the eastern part it is still preserved.
There are more traditions, either local, or adopted which are still well-preserved
among the Melanesian. Local traditions such as making use of sago as a staple food,
animal hunting, and fishing are still well preserved. The art of weaving, is still preserved
with its unique local designs and motifs. Houses made of wood with a conical roof called
honai, is also well preserved especially inland. The tradition of worshipping the ancestors’
spirits and the belief in supernatural power being possessed by certain things, such as
stones, axes, shells, and others that can influence their lives continues. These traditions
are still practiced by the population living in the center of the mountainous regions and

78 Chapter 1

MELANESIA BOOK FA LAYOUT 051216.indd 78 2/10/17 2:10 PM