Constructing Papuan Nationalism: History, Ethnicity ... - ScholarSpace

Constructing PapuanNationalism:History, Ethnicity, andAdaptationPapuan nationalism is stronger today than it was in 1961, when theMorning Star flag was first raised. 1 A creation of the second half of thetwentieth century, Papuan nationalism and its evolution as a political forceare crucial factors in any analysis of political and cultural change in Papua,and the future development of relations between the Indonesian governmentand Papuan society. This paper will explore, in the spirit of AnthonySmith (2002: 6), the “pedigrees” of Papuan nationalism, that is, its variedsources and origins, through an investigation of the movement’s historicalformation and how it has transformed earlier cultural identities.Specifically, it will show that Papuan nationalism today has been shapedby reactions to four primary factors. Firstly, many Papuans share a historicalgrievance about the integration of their homeland into Indonesia,which they consider to have occurred against their expressed wishes andwithout their participation. Secondly, historical developments in Papua’sadministration have led to a sense of difference and rivalry. The curious“dual colonialism” of Netherlands New Guinea, in which before 1942 officialsfrom the future Indonesia staffed most of the administrative positions,was followed, from 1944 to 1962, by promotion of Papuans’ educationaland political advancement. These developments laid the groundworkfor an intense sense of rivalry between the Papuan elite andIndonesian officials since the Indonesian takeover in 1963. The Papuanparticipants in this political and bureaucratic competition became the