Gibran participates in Mansorandak custom during first visit to Raja Ampat
Raja Ampat, Southwest Papua (ANTARA) - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka received a warm welcome with the Gale-Gale dance and the Mansorandak customary procession during his first visit to Raja Ampat Regency, Southwest Papua, on Wednesday.
The Mansorandak procession is a traditional custom reserved for figures visiting Raja Ampat for the first time.
As part of his working visit to Papua, Gibran travelled from Sorong to Raja Ampat Regency to inspect the implementation of the President’s priority programmes, such as the Free Nutritious Meals (MBG) and the Red and White Fishermen’s Village.
The Vice President’s arrival along with his entourage at Marinda Airport, Raja Ampat, was greeted warmly with the Gale-Gale dance performed by dozens of child and teenage dancers. The dance served as a symbol of joy and gratitude for the Vice President’s presence in Raja Ampat.
Following the dance performance, the Vice President then participated in the Mansorandak customary procession led by a customary elder.
The procession began with the laying out of a woven sago palm frond mat called senat, covered with a white cloth.
Atop it were various customary items, such as plates, betel, areca nut, lime, flowers, noken bags, and the traditional “kayafyof” hat.
As part of the procession, the Vice President was given a plate as a symbol of acceptance, and was adorned with the hat and noken by the customary elder.
This procession marked a gesture of respect as well as the community’s acceptance of the Vice President’s presence in the Raja Ampat region.
The ritual was led by a customary elder with expressions of hopes and prayers to seek goodness for the arriving guest.
“Welcome to Raja Ampat, and we carry out this Mansorandak procession so that the Vice President and his entourage become part of us in Raja Ampat and are always under the protection of the Almighty God, as well as all the inhabitants of the vast natural world of Raja Ampat in the mountains and sea currents,” said the customary elder.
Those welcoming the Vice President and his entourage at the airport included Deputy Governor of Southwest Papua Ahmad Nausrau and Regent of Raja Ampat Orideko Iriano Burdam.
Meanwhile, the Vice President was accompanied on this visit by Coordinating Minister for Political, Legal, and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Ribka Haluk, Executive Committee Chairman for the Acceleration of Special Autonomy Development in Papua Velix Wanggai, and Governor of Southwest Papua Elisa Kambu.