Cultural Sustainability and Local Economic Resilience: The Role of Kamasan Tradition in Rural Papua

Abstract

This study aims to examine and describe the existence of the Kamasan cultural tradition and its role in supporting the local economy of the Kanaki indigenous community in Wonawa District, Kepulauan Yapen, Indonesia. The research addresses how the persistence of Kamasan culture contributes to the economic sustainability of the community. A qualitative descriptive method was employed to provide a systematic, factual, and contextual understanding of the phenomenon. Data were collected through observation, in-depth interviews, and documentation. The findings reveal that the Kamasan tradition continues to be practiced daily and during customary events, particularly in marriage exchanges (bride wealth) and as ceremonial gifts for visiting guests. Beyond its cultural and symbolic meanings, Kamasan functions as an economic resource that supports household needs and strengthens local livelihood strategies. The tradition has been maintained from ancestral generations to the present, reflecting cultural continuity and community gratitude toward inherited heritage. The study concludes that the Kamasan cultural practice not only embodies indigenous identity but also plays a significant role in sustaining the socio-economic life of the Kanaki community.