[HUNTING - The Land of Water] Their Life Rests on the Blue Swamp

Held a flock of dogs, Thomas Sanggra (20) with his four colleagues walked towards the Blue Swamp, Wasur National Park Area, Merauke, Papua. Down the bus trees, Melaleuca sp, they get ready to hunt with arrows and spears.

"We want to capture the stock (kangaroo). Later in the afternoon we also have returned and must have one share, "said Thomas started the hunting activity, For Thomas and the community of Marind tribe, Rawa Biru region is the savanna of life. In a swampy expanse of approximately 4,000 hectares, the Kanum, Marind sub-sub-district, in Merauke District, Papua, rely on life. Hunting and gathering is done every day by four big families (settlers) who live in the village located in the area of ​​Wasur National Park, the clan Dimar, Banggu, Maiwa, and Sanggra.

Hunting life is thick in Kampung Rawa Biru inhabited by about 60 families or 248 Kanas. Mature men, even elementary-age boys, hunt animals at all times.

The savanna, swamp, and bus islands are the habitat for land kangaroos, field kangaroos, deer, pigs, fish and crocodiles.

Since childhood, Kanum children have been familiar with the "mercy" of nature. By their parents, the children are taught how to support themselves through hunting or gathering. Antonius Dimar (19) studied stock hunting since the age of 9 years. From the age of the child, he has masterfully ambushed deer and kangaroos by once releasing arrows from his bow or once throwing a spear.

Local traditions require a father to take his son hunting. Often hunting invitations are more desirable for their children than to go to school. While men are hunting, women are in charge of babysitting, as well as sago, and cooking. Usually hunting is done after 3-4 days pause. The reason, in addition to the hunting ground more and more, the number of game animals also decreases. Game animals are getting pushed away from the village.

Usually, once hunting, Antonius travels using kole-kole (sampan from the wood of bus trees) to the location down the swamp. One trip takes 6 hours.

They often have to sleep in the forest 1-2 nights with enough supplies. If you want to hunt deer, night they sleep in the forest and the next day hunting.