West Papuan Elders' Stories Come Alive in 'Kal Angam-Kal' Exhibition
Melbourne's cultural scene is on the cusp of a cultural awakening with the forthcoming exhibition, "Kal Angam-Kal: Stories from West Papua." This exhibition brings to the forefront the hidden history of exiled West Papuan Elders residing in Narrm (Melbourne).
Kal angam-kal is a proverb in the indigenous language of the Amungme tribe of Timika, West Papua meaning “the word has been spoken out."
This exhibition represents a collaboration between the leading artists Cyndi Makabory (Biak and Waropen) and Yasbelle Kerkow (iTaukei Fijian vasu Batiki, Lomaiviti), offering a new look on the challenges and sagacity of West Papuan Elders, as seen through the perspective of the younger generation.
Bridging Generations Through Art and Storytelling
Cyndi Makabory, a West Papuan Youth Leader and recent law graduate, plays a pivotal role in this remarkable project. Her role in connecting generations within her community has proved crucial.
"Kal Angam-Kal" showcases novel cinematic works where six young community members engage in heartfelt interviews with their chosen Elders, and in some instances, their own parents. These touching interviews are interwoven with archival footage, personal records, and a captivating score created by David Bridie of Wantok Music, featuring renowned West Papuan musicians Arnold Ap and the Mambasek band.
Two of the project's participants, Mariana and William (both aged 16), elected to interview their parents, who were among the 43 West Papuans who arrived in Australia by boat in 2006. Their arrival, at that time, ignited diplomatic tensions between Australia and Indonesia, drawing international attention to Australia's stance on human rights abuses in the Asia-Pacific region.
Mariana inquired of her father about his motivation for joining the 43 West Papuans, to which he reflected, "At that time, we wanted to protest against the Indonesian system in West Papua; it's not right... if we remain[ed] in this situation, we were going to be finished by Indonesian hands; they will kill us."
Empowering Young Voices
Earlier this year, the young participants engaged in a series of upskilling workshops hosted by Yarra Youth Services, under the guidance of the writer and journalist Namila Benson. These workshops aimed to nurture leadership, enhance public speaking abilities, boost confidence, offer media training, and empower young voices in leading the storytelling process.
For Yasbelle and Cyndi, working with film is a contemporary expression of their Melanesian oral cultures, passed down through generations. The exhibition symbolises an intergenerational practice, an enduring tradition of storytelling as knowledge dissemination among the Amungme people.
A Glimpse into History
The project was initiated in 2021 as an endeavour to document the stories of Elders in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the first raising of West Papua's emblem of independence, the Morning Star flag.
Despite the significant risks involved in hoisting it in Indonesia and occupied West Papua, including the potential of a 15-year prison sentence, the Morning Star flag remains a potent unifying symbol for West Papua's quest for self-determination.
Urgency and Significance
The timing of this exhibition is remarkably significant as Australia strives to strengthen its relations with the Indonesian government. Tragically, just last month, West Papua witnessed a military crackdown in which five teenage boys lost their lives.
These heart-wrenching events underscore the urgency of amplifying the voices of West Papuan young people who courageously address the ongoing humanitarian crisis unfolding in Australia's closest neighbour.
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"Kal Angam-Kal: Stories from West Papua" will be hosted at Footscray Community Arts from November 1st, 2023 to January 28th, 2024.
The exhibition will include two public programs:
Opening Event: November 4th, 2023, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Screening and Panel: November 16th, 2023, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
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Public Interest Journalism funded by NZ on Air