Waropen people

Waropen is Austronesian spoken in Geelvink Bay, Papua. This language is closely related to Yapen. The dialects are Waropen Kai, Napan, and Ambumi.

In Papua Province, this language is spoken in Mamberamo Raya Regency, and Waropen Regency. The Ambumi dialect is spoken in the southern region of Waropen Bay. The Waropen language is also spoken in the southern part of Teluk Wondama Regency.

The people of Waropen are familiar with the traditional leadership structure known in the "sera" leadership system. In fact, there are differences between the titles sera and serabawah that need deep attention.[2]

Doctoral anthropologist from Leiden University J.R. Mansoben in his dissertation mentions, the traditional leadership system in the Waropen people, important leaders are at the "da" or clan level, not at the "nu" or village level.[2] While "nu" is formed from a number of "da", physically the location of the house is between one da and another da. But it can also be found in the same location in the river.

In the past during the capture of slaves, a number of da or clan leaders joined in certain settlement locations to form a common force, during war and maintaining common security. Although in daily life da do not depend on each other. They will unite in the event of a war or a slave capture expedition.

The leader of the da unit is called sera, while Sera means the leader, the head or the one in charge. If a sera is from an old clan among her siblings and from an eldest clan branch, so called "serabawah" or "seratinggu" which means a true leader or a great leader. According to Mansoben, a Sera Bawah is a leadership model that can be achieved because it has qualities by showing the nature of Kako, which means brave or mighty and knowledgeable about customs.

Mansoben added that the Waropen people belonged to the Mixed Leadership system. This system shows the characteristics of attainment and inheritance which is called a mixed system. Mixed leadership system, the position of the leader is obtained through inheritance and achievement or based on individual abilities (achievement and descent). This type is found in the occupation of Cenderawasih Bay, Biak, Wandamen, Waropen, and Yapen.

Therefore, the right of sera is if a serabawah, is entitled to the first slaves that his clan members catch or clan tails. Also got a tobacco offer from a young couple who had just married. He also has the right to get help from his clan members to build his house called seraruma. Gives honorary titles to clan members who are considered meritorious in war and bravery.

Another privilege of getting big fish heads caught by clan members, the right to wear a head pin and the right to wear a Dumasura or a kind of bamboo comb during initiation ceremonies. Meanwhile, a taboo that sera must not violate is not allowed to cheat but can marry more than one wife. No cheating and stealing.

According to Mansoben, sera's appointment process was that she was old and physically weak. This position can be passed on to his eldest son. If the eldest son is not old enough, it can be passed on to his younger siblings from his father. But in Waropen society, sera's position can also be held by a woman called mosaba or queen. The late Hengki Wanda, the songwriter of mosaba, said that a mosaba is also a direct descendant of a sera. Or the first child of a sera, he also determines the amount of dowry payments in each clan.[2]

• Indigenous people of New Guinea