How to make a koteka

Wamena - Koteka is the original clothing of the Papuan people, especially the Dani tribe in Wamena, Papua. This is a male genital wrapper made of pumpkin. There are various forms. How to make it is also special.

If you visit Wamena, then the view of the koteka is not difficult to find. Not a few, local residents still use the male genital wrapper. In addition, the koteka is also a typical souvenir from Wamena.

detikTravel had the opportunity to meet the Dani tribe in Obia Village, Kurulu District, Wamena. The Dani tribe is one of the largest tribes in Papua and occupies a mountainous area. One characteristic is that Dani men wear a koteka.

Lasarus is cutting pumpkins (photo: Afif/detikTravel)

Lasarus is a Dani man who explains how to make koteka. Although he already wears clothes in his daily life, he also often wears a koteka when there is the Baliem Valley Festival. A famous annual event in Wamena and attracts many foreign tourists.

"People know the koteka, but we call it holim," said Lasarus.

Lasarus kindly explained how to make koteka. He also explained in detail about the koteka. Not only that, he immediately practiced how to make koteka.

"The koteka comes from a pumpkin which is usually on top of the Honai (the traditional house of the Dani-ed)," said Lasarus, pointing to a pumpkin above one of the nearby Honai.

Read also: Koteka

Quickly, Lasarus cut the fruit from the stalk. Then show me. If you look closely, the shape is indeed similar to a koteka.

 Lasarus showing the shape of a pumpkin that will made into koteka (photo:Afif/detikTravel)

"You just have to choose, how big do you want the pumpkin to be," said Lasarus with a small laugh.

Pumpkin that has been picked is cut off one end. After that, the inside is then dredged until all the contents come out. This aims to facilitate the entry of the male genitalia into the koteka after it is finished.

Lasarus quickly cleaned the inside of the pumpkin. After that, Lasarus went to Unila which is the kitchen for Dani women to cook. In Unila, Lasarus places the gourd on the coals.

The technique to make brownish color of Koteka (photo: detiktravel)

"This is so that it is charred and brown in color, then fill the inside so that it is clean," said Lasarus.

After a few minutes was considered enough, Laurus then lifted the pumpkin and cleaned the inside again. Then, he dried the pumpkin. According to him, the drying process takes about one day.

"After that, just tie the rope and then use it, then try it," said Lasarus.

How to wear a Koteka

How to wear it, tie a rope at the end and the body of the koteka. Then, tie the rope around your waist until it is in a comfortable position. If you want to let go, just stretch the rope.

Koteka makes it easier for Dani men to enter the forest and hunt. The shape of the koteka also varies, some are one meter long, until they are curved. Fun, you can buy koteka at souvenir shops in Wamena. Prices vary, usually starting from Rp. 20 thousand.

Source: Detik Travel