The Morning Star Flag: A lens into West Papua

1. The Morning Star Flag: A lens into West Papua Naman and Georgia

2. Morning Star Flag Source: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Morning+star+flag&view=detail&id=F5B7397C702DC277EBDA82E49561CC62F19A1120&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR viewed 26/10

3. The Case of West Papua • Indonesian colonisation • West Papuan people wish to gain their independence against the Indonesians • Tribal people, the Dani people preparing to fight the Indonesian authorities with traditional weapons • Dutch, UN and Indonesian control in the early 1960’s Map of West Papua, source : http://adventuretravel.about.com/b/2011/03/17/extreme-adventures-epic-tomato.htm viewed 26/10

4. Overview of the Flag • The Morning Star flag is sacred & symbolic to West Papuans • Roots in the decolonisation process - attempt to create national identity through flag and anthem • First raised on December 1st 1961 • Banned by Indonesia 1963 -1999 • 1999 flag permitted • Widespread flag raisings – crackdown and violence Men standing next to raised flag, source: http://marrickvillegreens.files.wordpress.com/2009/03/flag-raising.jpg

5. The Meaning Behind the Flag • “There are many versions of the flag’s history. But most importantly I think the flag is symbolic. There is an element of red meaning there is courage; the white is a sign of hope. The star is light, which is an intervention of God. That is faith in his blessing. And it is a flag that has seven different stripes, because the Dutch originally divided Papua into seen ethnic groups, so that should be seven federal states. That is what we know.” – Dani leader AgusAlua 2003 Morning Star Flag Source: http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Morning+star+flag&view=detail&id=F5B7397C702DC277EBDA82E49561CC62F19A1120&first=0&FORM=IDFRIR viewed 26/10

6. Symbolism • Inspires different symbolic meanings • Cultural symbol & identity • Past – traditional culture, society & social structure • Nationalist movement • Growing symbol for nationalist ‘heroes’ • Indonesia views the flag as a separatist symbol • Now a symbolic battle between Indonesians and West Papuans Photo Sourced: http://westpapuamediaalerts.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/join-petitions-and-photos-on-demand-referendum-p1-3.jpg Viewed 26/10

7. Nationalism • Before 1962 the Papuan elites were the ones affected by Dutch rule • A common resistance against land and economic exploitation • Sense of belonging • The flag unites various tribes • Strong ownership over the country and culture • Use the flag consistently to raise awareness Photo Sourced: http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://etan.org/action/image/west-papua-flag.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.etan.org/action/action4/32alert.htm&usg=__HPyXCQbpXbF2x8ByZH8WT3M8BGs=&h=349&w=470&sz=34&hl=en&start=10&zoom=1&tbnid=fIMVRGfwU-9c2M:&tbnh=96&tbnw=129&ei=T6erTtKTEtHEmQX_1bXcDg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dwest%2Bpapua%2Bculture%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1 viewed 26/10

8. Cultural Papuan Identity • Nationalist movement is an attempt to preserve cultural identity • 1970’s and 80’s new Melanesian States • Rediscovery of Melanesian identity • Reinvigorated nationalists • Embrace local cultural identity • Pride is shown in flag raisings Photo Sourced: http://septiansugara.blogspot.com/viewed 26/10

9. Case Study: Declaration of Independence • Occurred one week ago • West Papuans elected own government and raised flag. Lateline reported (Fitzsimmons, Hamish2011) • Indonesians have declared this to be treason • Human rights abuses, six people dead • Activists have said the shootings were planned

10. Conclusion Photo Sourced: http://www.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.abc.net.au/news/image/1277842-3x2-940x627.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2006-10-03/west-papua flag/2200132&usg=__SgpRgvoMa84UaiG0qxFeEPS6RUo=&h=627&w=940&sz=45&hl=en&start=278&zoom=1&tbnid=CSHwx8lXRuJ3UM:&tbnh=99&tbnw=148&ei=96qrTpWrLHImAWjk4XUDg&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dwest%2Bpapua%26start%3D273%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26tbm%3Disch&um=1&itbs=1 viewed 26/10

11. Bibliography • Fitzsimmons, Hamish. (2011). West Papuans attacked by Indonesian army. Available: http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2011/s3350029.htm. Last accessed 31st October 2011. • King, P. (2002). Morning Star Rising? Indonesia Raya and the New Papuan Nationalism. Indonesia. 73, 89-127. • Meiselas, S. 2003, Encounters With The DanI, Steidl, Germany • Ondawame, Otto (2000). "One people, one soul": West Papuan nationalism and the Organisasi Papua Merdeka (OPM)/Free Papua Movement. Canberra: Australian National University. • Webster, D. (2001-2002). "Already Sovereign as a People": A Foundational Moment in West Papuan Nationalism. Pacific Affairs. 74 (4), 507-528. • Widjojo, Muridan S. Etus, K. S. Obor, P. Y. (2010). Papua road map: negotiating the past, improving the present and securing the future. KITLV-Jakarta: YayasanPustakaObor Indonesia. p69