In time for the International Women's Day 2025 this March under the theme, “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.” lets watch and listen on how West Papuan women rise up for justice against ongoing occupation, human rights violations and injustice.
My Noken
Hey, the red twilight in the evening sky has long gone.
The pile of Noken on my head is getting heavier.
Tonight, I bring you my Noken.
I have pinned holes,
in every thread intertwined with prayers.
The story of our womanhood weaved with pains,
damage, and loss of hopes lands, forests.
It contained the story, the unbearable tales
I carried at the back of my broken spines
for sixty-one years now. Almost forgotten by the time,
intentionally designed not to be heard by you.
I carried it from the land I called home,
the land of the Morning Star.
In every thread of my Noken, which forcibly torn apart,
you can find the story of displaced women
forced to leave their Silimo and Hunila and
wandering around like a wanderer.
I have the story of the visitors and guests
who pretended to be the owner of the house.
Laws and policies are used to silence the truth!
Turn off the conscience with the bars and Prodeo Hotel.
But I'm still here,
standing,
fighting and
crying alone.
I understand the language of betrayal.
I see it.
I can sense it.
I have tasted it
along the way.
I have put it inside my back.
Let my heart keep its own misery as a reminder.
After all, this is my fight, right?
This is not the end.
I will stay back.
I won't give up.
Not yet.
Not now!
There is no way out!!
Freedom!
Freedom!
Free West Papua!
Noken is a knotted net or woven bag handmade from wood fibre or leaves by communities in West Papua. It is also known Biak inoken. Noken is a unique traditional Papuan bag made from tree bark fiber, usually from the wood of the nenduam tree, nawa trees, and forest orchids. It is carried by the head for their babies, goods, and food.
This poem was delivered by West Papuan woman activist Esther Haluk during the 4th Asia Pacific Feminist Forum (APFF) in 2024 organized by the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development (APWLD).
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