The Origin of Irian Island

Mananamakrdi's Journey: The Birth of Irian Island

Edisi Bahasa Indonesia: Asal Mula Pulau Irian

Folklore from Papua

Long ago, in the village of Sopen, Biak Barat, there lived a family with several sons. One of their sons was named Mananamakrdi.

Mananamakrdi had a skin condition covering his whole body, making him emit a foul odor. People couldn't stand being near him, and his own family despised him. Eventually, his siblings couldn't bear his presence and chased him away from their home.

Mananamakrdi walked east until he reached a beach where he found a boat tied to the shore. He sailed across the vast ocean and landed on Miokbudi Island, deciding to live there.

The island was abundant with sago and coconut trees. Mananamakrdi spent his days harvesting sago for food and collecting nira (palm sap) using bamboo, making tuak (a local drink). One evening, he found his bamboo tap empty, infuriating him. Determined to catch the thief, he waited under a coconut leaf.

As dawn approached, a shining entity descended from the sky toward the coconut tree, drinking all of Mananamakrdi's collected nira. Before it left, Mananamakrdi hastily tried to catch it.

"Who are you?" he cried out.

"I am Sampan, the morning star," replied the radiant being. "Release me; the sun is about to rise."

Mananamakrdi was reluctant to let Sampan go. He requested Sampan to cure his skin condition and provide him with a beautiful girl as his wife.

Sampan agreed but advised Mananamakrdi to go to a beach near the forest. There, a Bitanggur tree grew, and Sampan said, "If there is a girl you desire bathing on the beach, throw a Bitanggur fruit into the sea. She will become your wife."

Mananamakrdi followed Sampan's advice, reaching the beach with the Bitanggur tree. He saw several girls bathing but none caught his interest until one evening when he spotted an exceptionally beautiful girl in the water. He climbed the Bitanggur tree and threw a fruit into the sea.

The girl, named Insoraki, the Chief's daughter from Meokbundi village, was hit by the fruit while bathing. Annoyed, she left immediately.

Months later, to everyone's surprise, Insoraki became pregnant, despite not being married. She gave birth to a laughing baby boy named Konori. Mananamakrdi attended the naming ceremony, and when Konori saw him, he crawled toward Mananamakrdi, calling out, "Father!"

This revelation stunned everyone. Insoraki explained that the man with the skin condition was Konori's father. Finally, Mananamakrdi and Insoraki were married.

However, the people of Meokbundi couldn't stand the foul odor from Mananamakrdi's skin and deserted the village. Seeing Mananamakrdi's diseased body disgusted them. Meokbundi became deserted, only inhabited by Mananamakrdi, Insoraki, and Konori.

Feeling desolate, Mananamakrdi remembered Sampan's promise. Following Sampan's guidance, he burned dry wood. Entering the intense fire, a miracle occurred. Mananamakrdi emerged with a cleansed body and a handsome face.

From that moment, Mananamakrdi possessed various powers and called himself Masren Koreri, meaning the pure man.

One day, Mananamakrdi prayed and a sailing boat appeared. He, his wife, and child set sail across the sea. They arrived near Manokwari, in Mandori, deciding to reside in the hilly area.

In Mandori, mornings were cold with thick fog, but as the sun rose, the air turned warm and then hot. Seeing the change in weather, Konori yelled, "Father... Irian! Irian!"

From that day, the area was called Irian, which in the Biak language means hot.

Moral Messages:

• Appreciating Diversity: Mananamakrdi's story emphasizes the significance of embracing diversity and acknowledging differences among individuals. Despite being expelled due to his condition, he discovered love and a new home on the island of Miokbudi.
• The Importance of Friendship: The bond between Mananamakrdi and Sampan, originating from different backgrounds, teaches us that strong relationships can emerge from unexpected circumstances. This underscores the importance of offering individuals the chance to showcase their true selves.
• Devotion to Family: Mananamakrdi's commitment to Insoraki and Konori illustrates the profound strength of family devotion. His sacrifices and affectionate care highlight the value of loyalty within a family unit.

Coconut tree