PAPUAAROUND — Papua has very distinctive traditional clothing, making it famous not only in Indonesia, but also in foreign countries. This traditional clothing is one of Indonesia’s wealth that needs to be protected. One of the traditional Papua clothes is Koteka.
Papua traditional clothing is still very traditional and closely related to the life of the Papua people. In addition, the uniqueness of the Koteka dress provides its own charm, so it is often used in traditional ceremonies by many tribes in Papua.
With its uniqueness, you certainly need to know the meaning and meaning of the Koteka traditional dress. Let’s see what we will discuss this time is the Koteka traditional clothing.
Definition of Koteka
Koteka literally means clothes. Koteka is a traditional Papua clothes that is used to cover the genitals of native Papua men, while other body parts are exposed so that they are almost naked. Koteka is also known as horim or bobbe.
Koteka is more often used by people in the interior tribes, especially in Paniai, especially men. This traditional clothing is very unique, because it is only used to cover men’s vital organs and they also use it bare-chested.
The way they use the Koteka can be distinguished from how it is used, a short Koteka is used at work, while a long Koteka is used in traditional ceremonies.
Koteka Basic Materials
Koteka is made from the skin of an old water gourd whose contents and seeds are removed and then the skin is dried (sun-dried). The inside of the seeds and the flesh of the fruit will be removed. The old water gourd skin is dried in the sun so that it does not rot quickly.
The Papua people choose to use old water gourds because the texture of old water gourds is harder than young ones, so they are more durable. After drying, the Koteka, which is shaped like a sleeve, can be attached to the waist facing upwards.
In addition, the shape of the Koteka varies according to the ethnic group that uses it. The Yali tribe prefers the elongated form of traditional Papua clothing, the Tiom people prefer to wear the Koteka form which is branched by having two water gourd.
The Unique Meaning of Koteka Traditional Clothing
Uniquely, the use of koteka also has a special meaning. The higher the position of men according to custom, the larger the size of the koteka used will be.
How to use it there are 3 meanings that show or symbolize something as follows.
- Koteka upright symbolizes a real man and still a virgin.
- Koteka slanted to the right symbolizes a real man who has virility, and high social status and a nobleman.
- The koteka slanted to the left represents an adult male who belongs to the middle class as well as the descendants of warlords.
As the times progressed, the use of Koteka was banned in public places, such as on public transportation and schools.
Now, Papua traditional clothing is a very special cultural property because it still maintains natural ingredients. Even though the traditional clothes above are increasingly rarely used, these various traditional clothes are often available in souvenir shops to be used as souvenirs for domestic and foreign tourists.
Also read : Various Tribes in Papua
