Matara Village, located in the Semangga District of Merauke Regency, South Papua, is one of many traditional villages in the region that depend heavily on natural resources. The village is home to 188 households with a total population of 708 residents. However, the average monthly income remains below IDR 400,000.
Most of Matara’s residents work as farmers or fishermen. On average, each farming family manages between one to two hectares of land. During the rainy season, they plant rice. When harvests are plentiful, a portion is sold to supplement their income. In times of low yields, the rice is stored for household consumption and used as seed stock for the next planting season. In addition to rice, farmers also cultivate secondary crops and bananas. However, due to price fluctuations, proper care for these crops, especially bananas, is inconsistent. Many banana groves are left untended.
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To address this issue, Mama Irene Mahuze shared that a local parish priest initiated the annual Daun Anggai Festival involving four villages: Sirapuh, Urumb, Waninggap Nanggo, and Matara. “During the festival, villagers bring crops such as bananas and tubers to be auctioned to visitors,” explained the Matara resident.
Coconut and Shrimp Potential
The people of Matara also cultivate coconuts. There are approximately 6,000 coconut trees in and around the village, not including those in hamlets. Most villagers sell whole coconuts. As copra prices have risen, the price of raw coconuts has also increased. “When the price of copra rises, the price of coconuts follows. In Matara, buyers now pay around IDR 3,000 per coconut,” said Kamilus Mahuze, former Village Secretary of Matara.
Between 2000 and 2010, Kamilus recalled, villagers used to produce copra. However, due to unstable market prices, they shifted to selling whole coconuts instead. Currently, only one resident still produces copra. Processed coconuts are sold to collectors for IDR 15,000–17,000 per unit.
In Matara’s customary culture, coconuts are not only an economic commodity but also carry deep cultural significance. According to a traditional agreement between customary leaders and clan heads, the sale of young coconuts is strictly prohibited. Only mature coconuts may be sold. This regulation is tied to the essential role of coconuts in daily life: the husk is used as fuel in place of firewood, the shell is sold, and the meat is processed into oil or animal feed.
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To create alternative income streams, some residents formed a small enterprise group called Make Sasahi, which in the Marind language means “let’s work.” The group focuses on processing natural products, such as producing coconut oil, virgin coconut oil (VCO), and shrimp paste. The local government, through the Department of Industry, along with NGOs, have provided training and equipment, such as coconut graters and shrimp paste molds. However, the group’s activities face ongoing challenges, and at present, only one individual continues production: Mama Elisabeth Gelambu.
According to Mama Elisabeth, she is assisted by her two children in producing VCO, cooking oil, and shrimp paste. They only produce upon request. Shrimp paste is made during the shrimping season and is in high demand. Her family earns between IDR 2 to 3 million from sales. “The most popular item is the large-sized shrimp paste. The smaller ones usually sell out within a week,” she explained.
Impact of the National Strategic Project
The National Strategic Project (Proyek Strategis Nasional) in Merauke has also affected the people of Matara. Villagers first learned about the project when they went to fish near the forest in November 2024, only to find that the forest and wetlands had already been cleared. After negotiations, a land release agreement was reached: villagers’ land was purchased at IDR 300 per square meter, covering a total of approximately 250 hectares.
The official land release ceremony was held on August 9, 2025, and was attended by members of seven clans: Gebze, Mahuze, Kaize, Basik-Basik, Samkakai, Balagaize, and Ndiken. The ceremony involved the traditional slaughter of nine pigs—a symbolic act marking the forced relinquishment of customary land, carried out without prior consultation or FPIC (Free, Prior, and Informed Consent).
