Portrait of Mentawai Tribe
Mentawai is one of the oldest tribe in Indonesia who lived isolated in Siberut island jungle, West Sumatra. They lived in groups and survive with goodness of nature. Mentawai tribe had a shaman or medicine experts called Sikerei. Mentawai peoples believe Sikerei can heal all disease with plants and ancestral spirits help, because Mentawai tribe still believe with Animism called Arat Sabulungan, it means leaves. Mentawai tribe believe everything in this universe has spirits, so they very respect to nature.
To be a Sikerei, there are some requirements that should filled. First, a Sikerei must have knowledge about plants in the jungle that can use to heal disease. Then, a Sikerei must be held an traditional ceremonies to get permission from ancestral spirits. A Sikerei must have tattoos, must have a Uma (traditional house), should be able to make a Pompong (traditional canoe), must have cattle, and many more. Because of that, to be a Sikerei it takes months or even years.
Sikerei lived with goodness of nature, all the things already served from nature. To survive they hunt animals in the jungle likes bird, wild boar and squirrel. For the wife, they hunt a prawn and fish. other than that, they raising pigs and chicken for their consumtion and traditional ceremonies thing.
This is my photography project about Mentawai tribe in Siberut Island, West Sumatra. I make a portrait of Sikerei with their environments likes their belief, house, profession, and art. Sikerei in this photos, keep important role in Mentawai tribe. They still continue the tradition from ancestors in the middle of global era.
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