Rivals break bows, arrows to bury the hatchet

Two rival groups engaged in a tribal war over the past two weeks in Kwamki Lama village in Mimika regency, Papua, held a traditional peace ceremony on Wednesday marked by the breaking of bows and arrows.

Among those attending the ceremony at the village’s Kiosk Panjang market compound were Mimika Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Muhammad Sagi, Mimika Military Command chief Let. Col. Refrizal, Papua Police Mobile Brigade Unit commander Comr. Yustanto, Mimika Baru district head James Noldy Sumigar and a number of local figures.

The peace ritual commenced when hundreds of residents from the rival groups carried bows and arrows into the market compound.

After a brief prayer led by Rev. Melkianus Kum, four war chiefs from both sides stood under triangular bamboo poles and separated residents from both groups.

The groups each brought in a pig and shot them dead with arrows, handing them over to their rivals.