All About Manokwari
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| Manokwari (photo: celebes.co) |
As the capital city in West Papua, Manokwari has a lot to offer too. Besides
Sorong, this coastal town has its own uniqueness.
Since Sorong is the most developed city
in West Papua, it is, of course, more popular. However, Sorong is not the
one and only worth the attention. We also need to get to know other cities in
West Papua too. This time, let’s get to know all about Manokwari in West Papua.
The Capital City
of West Papua
For starters, Manokwari is actually the capital city of West Papua.
Still, it is a coastal town, so Manokwari is not exactly a real city. It stands
on the top of Cendrawasih Gulf (Teluk
Cendrawasih), close to the northeast corner of the Vogelkop. It is also
surrounded by natural attractions. One of the attractions is Arfak Mountain (Pegunungan Arfak).
Manokwari is three meters up from the sea level. Its average temperature
is 26.3 C, which makes it a mild, humid coastal town. There are more than 24
different tribes living here. Each has its own unique language and culture.
Asmat and Dani are the most prominent ones, especially Asmat, whose woodcarving
skills have been widely known.
Manokwari is also the town where you can find Honai. It is a traditional
house made of wood and grass as the roof material. The shape of Honai is always
round. The various cultures in Manokwari have turned several regional
instruments to include the Atowo, Tifa, and the Fu.
As a coastal town, a part of Manokwari has already been urbanized.
However, some regencies in Manokwari still have their traditional garb. Koteka
is one example. It is a hollowed-out gourd worn by tribesmen to cover their
genitals.
Manokwari is also a place for famous wooden sculptures to represent
beauty and virility. These sculptures have already become Manokwari’s export
goods.
The Education and
The People
The majority of the Manokwari residents practice Catholicism. In fact,
Manokwari is also one of the Roman Catholic Diocese’s seats of Manokwari –
Sorong.
In Manokwari, there is a university called The State University of
Papua. This university was established on the 3rd of November 2000.
This university has already got its own academic journal called “Beccariana”.
This journal consists of a collection of all the research on herbalism.
Since the university is located on a hill and facing the town, it is
really strategic. This area is also surrounded by the rain forest, which makes
it easier for students to find biological samples as part of their research.
If you are into hiking, you can check out Kota, where the travellers’
facilities are. It is on the eastern side of the inlet of Teluk Saiwasu.
Things To Do In
Manokwari
As the capital city of West
Papua, Manokwari has a lot to offer too. Here are some of the things that
you can do while you are here:
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Mansinam Island.
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| Masinam Island (photo: ranselhitam.com |
For Christians looking for a spiritual journey during the holiday,
Mansinam Island might be the right destination for you. It is 6 km from the
city of Manokwari. To come here will require a speed boat ride, which may take
about ten to fifteen minutes.
Some time back in 1885, two German missionaries settled here and later
became the ones who spread Christianity teachings. An interesting icon here is
the white statue of Jesus Christ that resembles the one in Rio de Janeiro,
Brazil.
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Pasir Putih Beach (Pantai Pasir
Putih).
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| White Sand Beach Manokwari (photo: papuabaratnews.co) |
Pasir Putih Beach is located in the East Manokwari District. Just like
the name, this beach consists of clean, white sand and blue-green seawater.
This is the place where you can simply relax on the beach or just go swimming.
The locals sell foods and drinks nearby, which means you do not have to go so far
when you feel hungry.
Although Pasir Putih Beach is listed as one of the tourist attractions
in Manokwari, West Papua, its maintenance is not only up to the government. In
fact, the locals are more enthusiastic in keeping this part of the coastal town
clean. No wonder the beach always looks clean and very well looked after.
If you spend some time walking along the beach here, you will see a
freshwater spring directly connected to the ocean. It is beautifully decorated with
several rocks. Many tourists love coming here and taking pictures of
themselves.
If you swim in the spring, you will feel an unusual sensation. It is
definitely like swimming in the sea, but the water tastes fresh and raw instead
of thick and salty. Only in Pasir Putih Beach, you can find something like
this.
If you are looking for a quiet place for the holiday, Pasir Putih Beach
is probably the suitable place for you. Of course, you might need to pay
attention to the season, so you will know when is the best time to visit.
As the capital city in West
Papua, Manokwari is also interesting to visit. It may be small as a coastal
town, but it offers a temporary escape for those looking for some spiritual
enlightenment. If not, you can always just enjoy the beaches while you are
here.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manokwari#Demographic_information
https://www.lonelyplanet.com/indonesia/manokwari
https://www.indonesiakaya.com/jelajah-indonesia/detail/keindahan-di-atas-lembutnya-pasir-putih
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