Who said that there is no education method in the land of Papua? The island is striving to improve human capital through education, especially in West Papua. Locals as well as the government have the right and proper mindset to strive in education. Even the local tribe, the Moi tribe, has their long-going education method called Kambik. What is it?
Kambik, As The Local Moi Education
Before the education development and boost happened in both west and Papua region, the Moi tribe from Sorong had a traditional educational system called Kambik. It is worth pinpointing since many people still consider the old local Papua tribe are falling behind the modern era advancement.
But does it make Kambik on par with the current education standard? No, it is not. One thing that people need to highlight is how Moi integrates traditional learning and fundamental knowledge throughout the teaching system. Most of the education focuses on learning the local culture, social organization, and language inside the tribe or region.
Not only that, Moi itself is a native tribe in Sorong that has a pretty strong presence in the area. The strong organizational presence helps them become one influential tribe in Sorong that also joins in many modern advancements and development. However, they also still hold tight to the traditional west Papua mindset as an indigenous community.
How Kambik Work As Education System
Considering the impression of lagging in education and modern knowledge of many local tribes, the Moi community is probably one of a kind in Papua. One of the reasons is the existence of Kambik as the local education system. It is considered uncommon for the local community, especially the more traditional people to have such an education system.
However, Kambik in Moi is an exception. Moi people tend to consider the schooling system as an important treasure that makes the community what they are now. Not only that, the system will only provide education for members of the tribe. It is exclusive schooling that might date way before the modern teaching system appears in Papua.
Historically, modern education in Papua existed during the colonial government. In Sorong, the first modern education was in 1927 with a school consisting of 26 students. After the first establishment, west Papua formal schools gradually increased but were still considered rare up until the 1970s.
Even before the formal school establishment, local Moi people have implemented Kambik. It makes Moi people and locals hardly viewed as uneducated. But again, it is traditional schooling that covers different subjects and knowledge compared to modern ones. The focus itself mostly relates to tribe management and natural survival.
Variety knowledge includes the teaching of tribal traditions, leadership, and skills. The skills taught in Kambik are about farming and fishing, which is the main food source of the tribe. The teacher of the education is an older man that has graduated from education, which is also part of the community.
It creates a more traditional from generation to generation informal education. But, is it worth calling education? While it is mostly informal, the system lasts for about 18 months. If it is unfitting to be called a schooling system, at least it introduces local children has value and fundamental knowledge.
Kambik And Modern Education
West Papua Moi people do not limit their education only to Kambik. Generally, Kambik is the more traditional informal study that teaches the children of Moi to learn about the community and fundamental surviving skills. It also includes teaching the value of democracy, community, leadership, and some other beneficial skills.
Traditional education itself brings children closer to nature. Children of Moi will learn how to live inside the natural environment by learning about agriculture, medicine, forest, and fisheries. It also includes teaching about preserving nature, respect, and living side by side. That is why Moi people are attached to their forests.
While the idea of Kambik is a fundamental education, children also have a chance to strive for better education in a modern school. The local community can consider Kambik as fundamental while modern education is the required schooling for better work, life, degree, and further knowledge.
With formal modern school, students from Moi can earn an academic degree after graduating from the traditional Kambik. Considering the different coverage, west Papua communities can adapt to both education systems. Kambik will help preserve traditional education, skills, and knowledge. Meanwhile, modern education will introduce them to a vast advancing world.
Knowing Kambik as one of the local schools creates an impression that indigenous are not uneducated. It even helps pinpoint that the native tribe of Sorong has continued the practice for years. While it might not be a fully established education system, the government can use it as an additional option for locals that still prefer the traditional method.
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