Papua's Mansinam Island: A Sacred Pilgrimage Destination for Christians

KBRN, Manokwari: Nestled in the embrace of the Doreh Bay, part of the capital of West Papua, Manokwari Regency, Mansinam Island in Papua is a sacred place for Protestant Christians in Papua.

Every February 5th, thousands of people from across Papua gather on this small island to commemorate the arrival of German missionaries Carl Wilhelm Ottow and Johann Gottlob Geissler in 1855 to spread the gospel, as quoted by rri.co.id.

On this day 170 years ago, Ottow and Geissler set foot on Mansinam, marking the beginning of Christianity in Papua. Their arrival and subsequent missionary work have profoundly impacted the island and its people.

The island is approximately 6 kilometers from Manokwari City and can be reached by motorboat in 10-15 minutes. A cross-shaped monument can be seen a few kilometers before reaching Mansinam Island.

This monument is dedicated to Ottow and Geissler, and an inscription at the base reads, 'Soli Deo Gloria De Eerste Zendelingen van Nederlandsch Nieuw Guinee C.W. Ottow En J.G. Geissler Zyn Hier Geland op 5-2-1855,' which translates to 'To the glory of God alone. The first missionaries to Dutch New Guinea, C.W. Ottow and J.G. Geissler, landed here on February 5, 1855.'

The History of Protestant Missionization in Papua

The history of Protestant Christianity in Papua began with the arrival of Ottow and Geissler 170 years ago.

Initially, the indigenous Biak people who inhabited Mansinam Island resisted their mission to spread Christianity.

Undeterred, Ottow and Geissler persevered in their efforts to introduce Christianity to the Biak tribe.

However, Geissler eventually fell ill and had to leave Mansinam for Ternate to recover, leaving Ottow to continue the mission alone.

Ottow began interacting with the local community through trade. He purchased local products, such as shells, sea cucumbers, and birds of paradise, from the islanders.

Subsequently, he sold these goods to merchants from the Dutch ship Van Duiven, using the profits to sustain himself.

On January 12, 1856, Geissler returned to Mansinam. Together, they continued their mission to spread Christianity.

Using his carpentry skills, Geissler taught the Biak people how to build houses, while Ottow, skilled in weaving, introduced them to the art of weaving.

Prompting them to adopt clothing beyond cawat, loincloths and koteka, traditional penis sheath typically made from a dried gourd that Papuan male used.

The skills taught by Ottow and Geissler spread to other regions of Papua, including Biak, Nabire, and Wasior.

Moreover, they learned the local language and translated prayers into it. They also introduced literacy to the Biak people, who initially struggled to hold a pencil.

However, the missionaries and the local people developed literacy through perseverance.

Ottow and Geissler translated the Bible into Malay, which served as a lingua franca to facilitate the dissemination of Christian teachings.

This initiative eventually spread to other regions of Papua, introducing the Papuan people to new knowledge and facilitating the spread of Protestantism.

Religious Tourism Objects in Mansinam

Today, on Mansinam Island, in addition to a monument honoring Ottow and Geissler, there is an old well dug by Reverend J.L. Van Hasselt, their successor.

The well on the island, dug using a coconut shell, provides fresh water despite its coastal location. Many believe this water has healing properties.

Additionally, Mansinam is home to a colossal 14.5-meter statue of Jesus Christ. The statue's 15-meter-high pedestal is adorned with four tifa-shaped supports, a traditional Papuan percussion instrument.

This monument, conceived by the Indonesian government, is a tribute to Papua's rich history and culture.

Resembling the Christ the Redeemer statue in Rio de Janeiro, though on a smaller scale, the statue stands as a symbol of welcome and compassion.

Completed in 2014, the statue stands very majestic and is full of authority. With open arms, Jesus Christ appears lovingly accepting anyone visiting Mansinam. ***