To celebrate the diversity of Indonesian cultures and traditions, the Center for Research on Society and Culture (PPKB) of the Faculty of Humanities (FIB) Universitas Indonesia (UI) organized the leading traditional ceremony “Bakar Batu” from Papua at UI Depok Campus, Tuesday (30/4). The event, held in conjunction with the Faculty’s halalbihalal, is in line with the halalbihalal 1445 H theme “Silaturahmi Lestarikan Budaya Nusantara” and is evidence of the Faculty’s commitment to respecting and preserving Indonesia’s rich and colorful cultural heritage.
The “Bakar Batu” ceremony originating from indigenous Papuan tribes is full of meaning in Papuan culture. It symbolizes unity, the spirit of togetherness, and gratitude to the spirits of ancestors for a bountiful harvest and other blessings. The ceremony involves cooking various foods with heated stones, a process that reflects the cultural identity and community values of the Papuan people.
Students, faculty, staff and invited guests gather at FIB UI to witness and participate in this cultural celebration. They engaged in rituals, dances, and songs that have been passed down from generation to generation, bringing a deep appreciation for Papuan culture.
The academic community can also enjoy authentic Papuan delicacies. Papeda, yellow gravy, and tuna from Bitung that have been seasoned with Papuan spices. Tuna is cooked with a typical coastal Papuan stone grilling process.
The Dean of FIB UI, Dr. Bondan Kanumoyoso S.S., M.Hum., expressed his gratitude for this meaningful event. “The bakar batu event is not only a celebration of Papuan culture but also an opportunity for our students and faculty to learn, appreciate, and respect Indonesia’s cultural diversity,” he said.
This traditional stone-burning event is a form of community service organized by PPKB FIB UI by involving the academic community of FIB UI. This activity is a form of dissemination of the tradition of stone burning as a traditional event that strengthens social cohesion. The plan is that the stone burning event on the FIB UI campus will be followed up by PPKB FIB UI in the form of research activities. “We have made initial research and are ready to deploy a team to Papua to conduct research related to this stone burning tradition,” said Head of PPKB FIB UI, Dr.phil. Lily Tjahjandari, Mhum, CertDA.
As a leading educational institution, FIB UI is steadfast in its dedication to promoting understanding and appreciation of culture to students and the general public. Through events such as the “Bakar Batu” ceremony, FIB UI will continue to strive to create an environment that is inclusive and respectful of cultural diversity.
