Bakar Batu (Photos)

Sea of people

Bakar Batu (Video)

I was so grateful being able to witness the ceremony of Bakar Batu (Stone Burnt Party) when I was in Mulia.

As I told you on the previous post, the week I visited Mulia was the week of Yamo District’s GIDI Klasis meeting. The 4 days meeting went thoroughly, and to express gratitude, a Bakar Batu ceremony was set on the closing day (Oct 21).

It was a big scale Bakar Batu, and was attended by thousands of people from different villages. 
People have come to Mulia the previous day bringing crops. They stay at their relative’s honai to participate in the Bakar Batu.

Going for Bakar Batu (Video)

I planned to go home to Jayapura on Friday (21/10), but things went longer than predicted, therefore I stayed for couple more days. 

Lucky me, because I had the chance to see Bakar Batu or Stone Burnt Party. The Bakar Batu was held on Friday, to commemorate the closing of Klasis Meeting. 

The day before, I met a group of villagers in Wandenggobak. They were carrying noken containing vegetables, hipere (sweet potatoes), leaves, and gourds. They said they have walked tens of kilos to reach Mulia and attend the event.