The biggest reggae community in Papua, KORK (Komunitas Rasta Kribo) successfully held the 8th Papua Reggae Festival (PRF) at Lapangan Trikora, Abepura, Jayapura, Papua on October 18th and 19th 2023.

Since its establishment in 2008, KORK has been trying to legitimize reggae as part of contemporary Papuan cultural expression despite the opposition from conservative groups in Papua, especially from parents and senior culturalists. Papua Reggae Festival has been held since 2011 and is scheduled to be held annually in various regions in Papua, but it all depends on sponsorship.

PRF is currently in the top 10, ranking the 4th best festival in Papua, said Theddy Pekey, Chairman of Rasta Kribo Community in his speech. This makes PRF one of the prestigious agendas of the Papua regional government. Its potential is even being eyed to become an international event.

This festival always produces regeneration of reggae musicians from various regions in Papua. This year there were 19 bands that were required to perform 3 songs of their own. Even the Head of the Papua Ministry of Law and Human Rights Office, Anthonius M. Ayorbaba, S.H., M.Si fully supports PRF and campaigns for their original works to be registered for intellectual rights.

The 8th PRF was appreciated and supported by the Jayapura city government and the tourism and creative economy office. The 3rd assistant of Administration and General Secretary of Jayapura City, Nur BI Aji representing the Mayor of Jayapura, Frans Pikey in his speech said that PRF raised the theme “knitting togetherness in progress” and is very much in line with the motto of the Jayapura City government, which invites everyone to work together to build Jayapura City. Considering the diversity of Papua demographics, art can unite everyone from race and religion without prejudice and discrimination.

(yedi)