Archeological Sites in coke-papua Tapurarang Indonesia


A. Overview

Tanah Papua indeed save a lot of mystery. The island is situated at the eastern tip of Indonesia is as if not stop emit magical powers that make people curious to track it down. Various kinds of traditional rituals that are still employed by the local tribes there seems still leaves heresy but interesting nuances. Similarly, heritage objects from pre-history, one as found in the District of Coke, Fak-Fak regency, West Papua, Indonesia. Fak-Fak regency itself is one of the centers of Islam in West Papua, where the majority of communities have converted to Islam. In the district which has an area of ​​38,474 km ² and a population of 50,584 inhabitants (2000 data), this stands an old mosque in Kampung Patimburak, which has more than 200 years old.

Archeological Sites in coke-papua Tapurarang Indonesia

Coke is like a living monument that still exist all the time. This area is to record and save a lot of relics of the past era of prehistoric archipelago. One of the magical charm of the main attraction is the discovery of various cap Coke red hand painted on stone walls on the cliffs and caves are situated on the seafront. Sightseeing archaeological archaeological site is known as coke or by the local community is usually called by the name Tapurarang. Because the color red on the painting in the cliff hand stamp resembles the color of human blood, local communities are also often mentioned as a painting Tapurarang blood hand stamp. Hand labeling found in Coke has similarities with some painting walls as found in Sangkulirang (East Kutai, East Kalimantan), or in Cave Leangleang (Maros, South Sulawesi). In the District of coke, which is a wealth Tapurarang prehistoric relic can be found in several places, among others, in Andamata, Fior, Forir, Darembang, and Goras.

There are myths that developed and trusted local community about the origin of the existence of painting with blood-red hand stamp on the ancient site Tapurarang. Indigenous residents living in the Coke believes that the cliffs or caves that became the location of the discovery of Archeological Sites Tapurarang is a sacred place. They believe the paintings are blood red is a manifestation of people who were cursed by the ghost of a grandmother. Grandma has been transformed into a demon or ghost kaborbor sea lord, that is the scariest ghost. The grandmother died during the disaster that sank the boat he was traveling. Of all the passengers in the boat, only the grandmother who died. That said, none of the passengers on the boat who tried to help the old woman to save themselves. Feeling hurt, spirits grandmother who has turned into a demon kaborbor are condemning all boat passengers are not feeling sorry for himself and even save themselves busy with a scramble up on top of a rock cliff. Due to the curse of the old lady, all passengers along with the results of the sea that brought immediately turned into a painting on the wall-climbing wall

Archeological Sites in coke-papua Tapurarang Indonesia

Citizens who inhabit the Fak-Fak regency, especially local residents in the District of Coke, very reluctant to open talks on antiquities as well as old relics, including providing more information of things Tapurarang ancient site. They dare not reveal to any person on relief painting palm branded red blood. For local residents, revealed an ancient relic that has been considered a mystery or a miracle as well as suicide. In other words, tell or reveal the same taboos shorten with age. The speakers are thought to have lived at the time made the palm of the hand painting, or the arrival of Islam in Coke, was dead. His successors did not dare to pass on stories of history to the children and grandchildren for fear of dying young. Myths like these that force generation to generation over the centuries. As a result, generations of residents Coke now had no idea about the variety of ancient relics in the Coke. This is the mystery which was an added value for tourism district Coke and Fak-Fak regency in general.


B. Feature

Coke District is presenting so many privileges. Water flowing clear river, mangrove forests are still virgin, big trees that shade, as well as hundreds of kinds of birds, the heron species, cockatoos, parrots, until paradise, still free floating above his head. Not to mention the sea and its line of coral islands that add a festive atmosphere Coke. In addition to presenting the natural charm and habitats of flora and fauna that amazing, Coke also offers pre-historical traces that can become a tourist destination that is no less enjoyable.

The uniqueness that adds mystique Tapurarang archaeological sites in the coke is painting a picture of human hands on the cliff wall made of natural ingredients and are still clearly visible despite centuries old. The paintings on the walls of blood-red rock cliff with a height of about 20 meters from sea level that not only displays the motif of human hands, but also other images such as fish bones, the shape of fish, human fingers, cockroaches, scorpions, and human skulls. Strong suspicion that the surface sea water in ancient times the same flat with the cliff, so that people easily painted on the cliff wall. However, after experiencing the process for thousands of years, thus shrinking sea cliffs looked located at high altitudes.

Shades of pre-history tour that we got in the Coke not only tangible blood paintings on the walls of the cliff alone. In the vicinity of the place we can also find a number of human skulls scattered around the coast, not far from the ancient site Tapurarang. Human skulls were believed to be the ancestor or ancestors framework Coke society. In ancient times, people have a habit of putting the body of coke ancestors who died in the rock cliffs, caves, headland or under large trees that are considered sacred.


Archeological Sites in coke-papua Tapurarang Indonesia

Ancient site in the form of paintings of red blood is found not only along the beach Coke, but also is found in small islands around it. However, no single party has ever studied the meaning of all the paintings reliefs. It is not known how well the century the painting was made, using what materials, and who makes them. Some Dutch tourists who stop at Coke had said that these carvings reliefs resemble Aboriginal paintings in Australia. There is also another version which says that the relief is similar to a number of reliefs in several museums in Paris, France.

If lucky, when it was high tide, you can go up to the cliffs and watch the blood branded paintings are up close. However, if the water is receding, the beauty of the cliff paintings can only be enjoyed from the boat or longboat. Once satisfied to enjoy the mysterious paintings on the walls, you can admire the beauty off fatigue with panoramic ocean and headland which is right in front of the cave you can see from one hill.


C. Location

Sightseeing Tapurarang historical archaeological site located in the District of Coke, Fak-Fak regency, West Papua, Indonesia. The distance between the central government Fak-Fak regency (City of Fak-Fak) and the District of Coke is about 50 kilometers.


D. Access

Despite the distance between the District of Coke from the central government Fak-Fak regency relatively close, but to get to the Coke we have to go through that route is not easy to go through road and waterway. Road to connect the Fak-Fak with coke District center has pioneered since the 1970s, but until now has not been completed. After the road traveled, the journey must continue by boat to get to the Coke. If interested and feel challenged to visit the ancient site Tapurarang on Coke, you can travel overland from Fak-Fak town toward the District of coke with time for four hours.

The first two hours, you must undergo a travel route from the town of Fak-Fak to the Pier Ubadari. To get to Ubadari, you can ride a rental car, taxi, or transportation out of town. If you choose to rent a car, you have to pay Rp 300,000 for the go-home of the City of Fak-Fak to Ubadari and vice versa. However, if choosing to use a taxi service, you will only be charged Rp 20,000, also for the go-home. If using public transportation or transportation out of town, you are obliged to pay Rp 25,000 each way from Terminal City Fak-Fak in order Ubadari Pier.

From Pier Ubadari, followed the next two hours away by boat. You can ride the long boats, public or can be hired, to down the River Ubadari toward Coke. If used as a longboat ride public transportation, you only pay Rp 20,000 for the go-home. However, if you want to hire a long boat in person, you have to pay higher prices, ie USD 200,000 for go-home.

Archeological Sites in coke-papua Tapurarang Indonesia
E. Ticket Prices

After arriving in the District of Coke, you do not have to pay admission to the attractions the destination. However, should you see a tour guide who will escort you to the location of archaeological sites Tapurarang with service costs Rp 25,000 each way.

F. Accommodation and Other Facilities

Not many luxury amenities that you can get in the District of Coke, but after berletih ria enjoy historical tours in the Coke, you can rest in Fak-Fak town that has been equipped with several hotels, inns, and tourist cottages. There are dozens of hotels in Fak-Fak town that you could try to unwind. In addition, the City of Fak-Fak You also can enjoy a meal or a dish and its by-the typical West Papua....