Theological Study On The Psychological Role Of Women In Dani Culture – Papua

Abstract

Bible, in Genesis 2:23 states that woman was created from the rib of man – representing equality in bearing the burden of domestic work and public work. Jesus Himself in his day did not discriminate against women in a patriarchal society. He paid attention to a woman with a backache (Luke 13:10-17). The woman who was bleeding for twelve years (Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48) visited and gave guidance to Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38a-42) and volunteered herself to be anointed by a sinful woman who, according to her the patriarchal culture of that era, was inappropriate (Mark 14:3-9; Matthew 26:6-13; John 12:1-8). Likewise, the Dani tribe, in a patriarchal cultural order, presents women as the main actors in the economic and socio-cultural fields. In the background of that view, the women or Ninagoya who first appeared in Weisaput, Baliem valley, came with the sun's power, meaning signs of fertility and recovery from hunger. The role of Ninagoya (original mother) is recognized and upheld in high value in the life of the Dani tribe in Wamena, Papua, from generation to generation to this day.