Rock Art In Keerom-Papua in the Ritual Heru Ethnic Ndra–Emum

Klementin Fairyo

Keerom is a regency in Papua Province. It lies on the border between Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Keerom has the potential for archaeological remains of rock art in caves scattered throughout the region's forests. The cultural remains presented in this article are rock art in several of these caves, including Yadumblu, Yahoto, Kwarpei, Kefai Ambea, Triffi, Beanembala Naguhi, Afoem. Some of the caves are still used by local communities as residences and burial sites. Analysis of the Beanembala Naguhi cave site's occupation dates from 5650-4720 BP. The rock art motifs in these caves include turtles, lizards, fish, tifa (a traditional musical instrument), noken, umbrella houses, masked humans, fish, trees, circles, arrowheads, geometric and abstract shapes. The dominant colours are black and a combination of black and red. Motifs such as lizards, turtles, and geometric shapes appear to be used as symbols in the heru ritual attributes. These images have meaning and symbolism in the cultural activities of the Ndra-Emum tribe in Keerom. The Ndra-Emum believe that rock art is a medium for communicating with supernatural beings/jinns who rule the local environment. This cultural phenomenon depicts human activities that are characterized by past culture in the local. The research method used is qualitative-descriptive. Data collection techniques through literature studies, observation and interviews. Data processing uses an ethnoarchaeological approach. The results of the study illustrate motifs such as images of tifa, umbrella houses, lizards, turtles, masked humans, and geometric shapes, are symbols in the heru ritual (the feast of life and death).