The locals commonly perform Mansorandak as a customary tradition to welcome individuals setting foot in their land for the first time.
During his ongoing Papua tour, Gibran traveled from Sorong, the capital of Southwest Papua, to Raja Ampat to directly review the implementation of key programs initiated by President Prabowo Subianto, including the Free Nutritious Meals program and the Red and White Fishing Villages program.
Dozens of children and teenagers staged the Gale-Gale dance to welcome the vice president and his entourage upon their arrival at Marinda Airport in Raja Ampat, reflecting the community’s delight at the central government's visit.
After watching the traditional dance, Gibran participated in the Mansorandak ritual led by a customary elder.
The procession began with the placement of a woven sago palm mat called senat, layered with a white cloth and arranged with symbolic items such as plates, areca nuts, betel, lime, flowers, a Papuan traditional bag known as noken, and a local headpiece called kayafyof.
Afterward, the elder presented the vice president with a plate as a symbol of acceptance and adorned him with the noken and kayafyof.
"Welcome to Raja Ampat. We carried out the Mansorandak ritual so that Mr. Vice President and the entourage become part of us and are protected by God Almighty and the entire universe," the elder said.
Gibran was accompanied by Coordinating Minister for Political and Security Affairs Djamari Chaniago and Deputy Home Affairs Minister Ribka Haluk, among others.
Deputy Southwest Papua Governor Ahmad Nausrau and Raja Ampat District Head Orideko Iriano Burdam were also present to greet the delegation at the airport.
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Translator: Mentari Dwi, Tegar Nurfitra
Editor: Azis Kurmala
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