Abstract
The Arfak tribe lives on the island of Papua as a part of the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia. In 2022 there was a division by adding four new provinces namely South Papua, Central Papua, Highlands Papua, Southwest Papua Provinces in accordance with the laws in force in Indonesia. Papuans belong to the Melanesian race and the Arfak tribe consists of four sub-tribes namely the Hatam, Meyah, Molei, Sough.The Arfak tribe has its livelihoods in gardening, hunting, trading, raising livestock, collecting forest products. Most of the Arfak people are Christians. However, the people of the Arfak tribe still believe in Animism (a belief in a supernatural power that organizes and animates the entire material universe) and Dynamism (a belief that there are powers that exist in natural objects in the world e.g. a rock or a tree might become an object of awe and veneration because it is believed to have great power) which is often termed Suanggi. Belief in Suanggi is in harmony with other religions which are considered to accept Animism and Dynamism in their beliefs such as those evident in Hinduism, Ancient Egyptian Religions, and even Confucianism. This is driven by the search for a figure in power. However, there are differences in the beliefs of the people of the Arfak tribe about the resurrection of a person such as in Judaism Buddhism and some Christian sects. Christianity of course believes in the existence of an Ultimate Person, namely Jesus the God-man as well as belief in the possibility of resurrection in the future life. Resurrection is a certainty in the Christian faith. The Arfak people who are Christians in orientation must also have the belief in death as an advantage towards life in eternity in God’s heavenly Kingdom. Christians must follow the teachings of the Holy Bible. As Christians, people who have believed in Jesus Christ should not practice Suanggi in any shape or form because it is based on a malevolent spirit in the folklore of some islands in Indonesia. A discourse on Suanggi and malevolent spirits was carried out in this study using careful reflection on Holy Scripture and other relevant literature from academic books and journals.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
