Two Kamoro Totems Presented by PT Freeport Indonesia Brought to Lake Toba Waterfront City
01 October 2023
PT Freeport Indonesia (PTFI) presented two Kamoro totems by way of participating in, and supporting establishment of the World Totem Park which part of the Pangururan Waterfront City Area Development program in Samosir, North Sumatra on Wednesday, September 27, 2023.
The two totems that will be featured in the World Totem Park are the work of Kamoro wood carvers under the aegis of the foundation Yayasan Maramowe.
PTFI Director and Executive Vice President (EVP) for Sustainable Development, Claus Wamafma said presentation of totems from the Kamoro Tribe was by way of demonstrating the company’s commitment to participating in the conservation of arts and culture of one of the customary communities living near the company’s operating site.
“We fully support development of the World Totem Park and the Pangururan Waterfront City Area Development program, which we believe will become a venue for arts and culture conservation in Indonesia. The Kamoro totems we are presenting will offer access for visitors to view and sense the beauty of Papuan arts and culture from a distance, far from their place of origin,” Claus said.
Yayasan Maramowe Weaiku Kamorowe founder Luluk Intarti explained the two Kamoro totems presented are called Mbitoro and Wemawe and are approximately eight meters high with a diameter of one meter. These two totem types are among the highest and biggest ever created by the Kamoro.
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Luluk voiced the hope that these Kamoro carvings will be better known among the public, both nationally and internationally, as more come to visit Lake Toba.
"It is also a point of pride for the artisans who created these artifacts, for their work to be enjoyed by many people. The Kamoro carving culture can survive and continue if younger generations learn what their predecessors have accomplished such as to be made national icons,” Luluk said.
The "Pangururan Waterfront City Area Development” that is a PUPR Ministry program is part of the Lake Toba National Strategic Tourism Area (KSPN) development.
This program strives for integrated and sustainable tourism development, with support from the government and World Bank. This area will feature several points of interest and attractions that are grounded on local wisdom, and bear a message for nature conservation, cultural values continuity, and global friendship.
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