“Satu tungku tiga batu” or also known as “one-three-stone stove” is a philosophy of tolerance in Fakfak, West Papua. People of Fakfak come from different ethnics and religions which make them love and respect each other. The love and respect drive them into beautiful tolerance which leads to peaceful life in harmony. See how tolerance shapes their life in the following details.
Heterogenous People of Fakfak
Fakfak has been long known with nutmeg as its biggest production commodity. The potential commodity invited visitors, thus, the region used to be dominated by newcomers, the kings outside Papua, and merchants from Seram, Gorom, Bugis, Makassar, Arab, and Cina.
These newcomers eventually made relationship with the locals through marriages making the people heterogeneous. The philosophy of one-three-stone stove or “satu tungku tiga batu” is closely related to three religions dominating the region: Protestant, Catholic and Islam. The heterogenous society has been living in peace and harmony since 1912 in Fakfak. More Papuan ethnics had also added the diversity by 1961 with each cultural value and beauty.
The Philosophy of One-Three-Stone Stove
The concept of one-three-stone stove philosophy is a cultural value regarding the kinship of people. Here are the details.
One Stove
The analogy of “one stove” is philosophically defined as “land, region or state” or “hirriet” as mentioned by Marten Hindom which means a farm, land or state. In other words, it can be defined as the land, in which Fakfak is in this case, where the religions of Protestant Christian, Catholic and Islam have grown together.
People of Fakfak believe that land is source of life for human and all beings, so it must be respected and protected to secure their life. Land has two functions; first, it is a place to settle a home and, second, it gives lives and future. Thus, those in Fakfak Tribe are close to nature as they know they are part of it. They assume if they ruin the nature, they’ll ruin themselves, too.
Three Stones
There are two philosophical analogies for “three stones” for people of Fakfak. First, they are the symbol of social life, including tribe, government and religion. Second, these stones symbolize three religions in Fakfak, including Protestant Christian, Catholic and Islam. Family member in Fakfak is also addressed with fam or “marga,” so it’s normally easy to know their identity based on their fam.
Although establishing in fam of different religions, they live in harmony, like Hindom fam which has Protestant Christian and Islam members of family living under the same roof. That’s why, it isn’t surprising that Christian people help to provide food for Muslim friends for iftar dinner and Muslim people help to build Christian religious building together. Beautiful, isn’t it?
From the above philosophy, “one stove” and “three stones” cannot be separated from each other. In other words, the existence and sustainability of people’s life depends on the main pillars of social life: tribe, government and religion. If one is ignored, the social life of Fakfak people is agitated.
The Function of One-Three-Stone Stove Philosophy
People of Fakfak were newcomers in the past. They are heterogenous including several ethnics from Papua, like Ayamaru, Kaimana, Agimuga, Kokonau, Serui, Biak, Inanwatan, and the native one of Fakfak, Mba’ Ham Mata, who have been long dwelling the region. Meanwhile, others from other regions include Ambon, Timor, Flores, Jawa, and Buton (South Sulawesi).
Like the tribes, the religions in Fakfak make its people heterogenous, too. The main religions are Protestant Christian, Catholic and Islam, so the concept of one-three-stone stove remains relevant. It is a proof of pure tolerance in the region, so they can avoid conflicts and maintain the peaceful social life in harmony.
Another function of the philosophy is to become their identity of Fakfak people in West Papua which represents the value to live individually and in groups and is shown in attitude and behavior wherever they go. It’s much appreciated as tolerance shows more goodness for better purpose, like prioritizing public interest, being honest, keeping other’s business without interference, and loving each other.
