Sasi Gereja

The indigenous people of Padaido originate from the mainland of Biak Island. Since the 9th century, their ancestors lived in the interior of East Biak, but due to an attack by mambri (commander) Pasrerfi from Samber, they spread to various regions. From the 10th to the 14th century, the ancestors of Padaido crossed to the Padaido Islands in three waves, starting from Pakreki Island and then to Mbromsi Island. In Mbromsi, they built three villages and divided customary land rights among clans (Weyai, Rumabar, Rumboryas, Rumbino, Rumbewas, Rumayauw, Kafiar, and Rumaropen).

The land on Padaido Island is very fertile for tubers, fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants, while the sea provides fish, shellfish, and other marine resources. Due to its natural wealth that can sustain life, the ancestors of Padaido named this area An Nobo, which means a place that provides all the necessities of life.

The next migration brought them from Mbromsi to Padaidori Island (An Nobo), establishing settlements around Lake Waimuri and Sevendi, and then to Faknik Bab (now Kampung Sasari). The name Padaido itself emerged after World War II, from the words padai (weapon) and do (deep), as this area became a battleground. Now, the administrative area includes Kampung Sasari, Padaido, Yeri, and Anobo according to local regulations and government decisions.

In addition to migration history, the people of Padaido also have important legends:

• Manggana: A healer who performed childbirth operations with an inois knife, resulting in many mothers and babies dying. This practice was stopped by a woman named Insrenanggi, who introduced normal childbirth.
• Insernanggi: The legend of Insrenanggi also tells how she taught humans to recognize fire and cook properly, while stopping the practice of Manggana.
• Ikako Mampairamo: A snake that transformed into a human wanting to marry two girls. The rejection from the villagers made them flee to the Mamberamo River. There, the snake was eventually killed, and some of the villagers' descendants settled in Mamberamo until now.

The history of migration, the natural wealth referred to as An Nobo, and the legends passed down have become an important identity for the indigenous people of Padaido to this day.

Padaido Island is a coral island with a relatively large sandy area, a relatively flat topography (±10 m above sea level), and sandy land texture. Administratively, this island is part of the Aimando District and is divided into four villages, namely Kampung Sasari, Kampung Padaido (Mnupisen), Kampung Yeri, and Kampung Anobo. This island has become one of the centers of life for the Biak indigenous community, with both terrestrial and marine natural resources supporting daily life.

One form of local wisdom of the Padaido Island community is Church Sasi, which is a temporary closure system for certain marine biota, such as sea cucumbers, crabs, and sea fish. This Sasi is established with the aim of supporting the development of the congregation, where the harvest from the Sasi area is sold, and the proceeds are used to finance the construction of church facilities and other needs of the congregation. The main location of Church Sasi is in Lake Deredori, which is also known as the old village of the Padaido community.

More broadly, the Biak indigenous community recognizes the Sasisen tradition, which is the closure of certain areas to protect and maintain natural resources (SDA) for a mutually agreed period. The areas that are sasi are marked with prohibition signs (orwarek) and accompanied by the belief in magical sanctions for those who violate. The implementation of Sasisen follows the customary calendar, with two main seasons:

• Wampasi Season (June–July): calm sea and long low tide, so the community focuses on fishing activities.
• Wambarek Season (October–January): strong winds and waves, so the community engages more in gardening activities.
• The other months are transitional periods.

After the closure period ends, Sasisen is opened with a prayer in the church, the release of the orwarek sign, and followed by the Snap Mor tradition, which is a communal fish catch during low tide using kalawai (fish spear). The catch is then grilled and eaten together, prioritizing orphans, people with disabilities, widows, and widowers, and then distributed to all residents. Currently, the opening of Sasisen and Snap Mor is also collaborated with the Fan Nanggi cultural attraction and Christian prayers. The customary leader (mananwir) spears the first fish, hands it to the religious leader for a prayer, and then invites the community to go down to the sea together as a form of gratitude for the abundant sea blessings.

In practice, the management of natural resources by the Padaido Island community is still carried out traditionally by utilizing marine and terrestrial products for household needs, children's school fees, and the construction of public facilities in the village such as churches and village halls. The main sources of income come from copra, fish (fresh and salted), coconut oil (mani srai), and sea cucumbers.

There are several regulations that must be adhered to by the community, including;

• There are no restrictions on taking marine biota but adjusted to needs.
• It is prohibited to catch using destructive fishing gear, such as nets smaller than 3 inches, crowbars, chemical poisons, and plants, as well as bombs.
• The utilization of marine natural resource management in the bosen area is carried out by the village community.
• It is prohibited to cut down trees along the coast as a barrier against wind and waves.
• Coastal natural resource management can only be carried out by the Mnu community.

If violations occur in catching within the congregation's sasi area, there are magical sanctions and reprimands from customary and religious leaders. The management area of the indigenous people of Padaido is considered the main source of livelihood. Therefore, the community believes that the utilization of resources must always be accompanied by rules that ensure sustainability so that they can be passed on to future generations.

Church Sasi is not only a customary rule but also a manifestation of faith and responsibility to protect God's creation. Through Sasi, the community limits the use of nature wisely so that biodiversity remains sustainable. Church Sasi becomes a collective way for the community to preserve food sources, medicines, and livelihoods, while maintaining the balance of life for current and future generations. Below is the biodiversity stored in Church Sasi;

Flora

For Building Materials

1. Ulin (Sner)

2. Merbai/Iron Wood (Kabui)

3. Matoa (Are)

4. Bintanggor (Doi)

5. Forest Bintanggor (Wapuw)

6. Chinese Wood (Moref)

7. Mbrui

8. Mansai

9. Nutmeg (Kamor)

10. Yer

11. Rarwan

12. Banyan (Asar)

13. Ruren

14. Maspen

15. Adwak

16. Ampom

17. Bram

18. Talirotan (Kabraisam)

19. Sengon (Adai/Abyai)

20. Manjaw

21. Pasror

22. Milkwood (Kwabor/Ainus)

23. Coastal Gelagar (Ower)

24. Coastal Bintangur (Mares)

25. Butun (Rabon)

26. Umbrella Plant (Myoren)

27. Nibung (Ansan)

28. Ketapang (Kris /Aibekop/Krismaon)

29. Small Dungun (Aibekop/Krismawon)

30. Marai

31. Aki

32. Suan

33. Mat Plant (Mansrom)

34. Mangrove (Sawawir)

35. Mangrove (Aibon)

36. Mangrove (Mampiuw)

For Musical Instruments

1. Milkwood (Kwabor/Ainus)

2. Marem

3. Papir

Medicinal Plants

1. Sampare [Malaria]

2. Mengkudu (Kandarek) [Malaria]

3. Kuker [Malaria]

4. Manyek [Cysts and Leprosy]

5. Coastal Gelagar (Ower) [All kinds of diseases]

6. Miana (Mampusem) [Wounds]

7. Sambiloto [Blood booster]

8. Meniran [Blood booster]

9. Duck's Tongue (Bukorduf) [Fever and Mucus in infants]

10. Mansnasem [Eliminates mucus in infants]

11. Anas [Body aches]

12. Siri (Inan) [Eye pain]

13. Ginger (Konsop) [Bone pain]

14. Parepat (Aum) [Helps infants speak quickly]

15. Coastal Bingtangur (Mares) [Eye pain]

16. Lemongrass (Ampuy) [Toothache]

17. Drini (Pandemor) [Bone fractures, pain, and aches]

18. Ant Nest (Sarang Semut) [stomach pain, cancer, tumors, coronary heart disease, tuberculosis, rheumatism to leukemia]

19. Pig (Randip)

20. Coastal Pine (Rambemawa) [helps infants speak quickly]

Consumed

1. Water Apple (Inasem)

Fauna

For Consumption

1. Pig (Randip)

2. Cuscus (Rambab)

3. Soa-soa (Kasip)

4. Apodora (Ansnai)

5. Lizard (Kasip insum)

6. Crocodile (Ongor)

7. Black-headed Red Lory (Mankfir)

8. Green Lory (Mandar)

9. Maleo (Manggiryo)

10. Sparrow (Maninsu)

11. Kingfisher (Mampudwar)

12. Rock Kingfisher (Mansinem)

13. Bat (Mangwai)

14. Turtle Dove (Manggaok)

15. Manggupre

16. Cockatoo (Maniker)

17. Chicken (Mangoko)

18. Crow (Manwawa)

19. Kum-kum (Mananggau)

20. White Dove (Mandun)

21. Lemuru (Inggarouw)

22. Lencam (Insamen)

23. Kapas-kapas (Inggower)

24. Black-spotted Snapper (Inbarkof)

25. Kuwe (Inggarfu)

26. Belana (Inasman)

27. Belanak (Inasbin)

28. Samandar (Indos / Insarek / Indadwai)

29. Six Leter (Inbaren)

30. Baronang (Inowes)

31. Botana (Inggaes)

32. Brajanatha (Indur)

33. Snapper (Inpekem)

34. Thick-skinned Fish (Inggar)

35. Butana (Inbrui / Inmarye)

36. Grouper (Indaf)

37. Nile (Indwar)

38. Weapon Fish (Indapusam)

39. Cockatoo (Indwaf / Inwer)

40. Kuwe gerong (Indirek)

41. Mangrove Snapper (Indin)

42. Yellow Selar (Inapra)

43. Chicken Fish (Insum/Karipa)

44. Blue Cockatoo (Indarwam)

45. Green Benjol Parrot (Indai Kaibam)

46. Napoleon (Inmamen)

47. Box Snapper (Indawer)

48. Madah (Inamas)

49. Lencam (Insrowen / Insambras)

50. Sako (Inbekwan)

51. Balobo (Inpakem)

52. Cakalan (Cakalan)

53. Dolphin (Manggombon)

54. Sailfish (Inbeyaun)

55. Tenggiri (Inbeoper)

56. Goat Fish (Imanswaref)

57. Silver Sea Cucumber (Gumuru)

58. Thunder Fish (Inswan)

59. Flying Fish (Inanai)

60. Whiskered Fish (Insyur)

61. Kembung (Inarmar / Oci)

62. Puri (Insanai)

63. Sardine (Ineper)

64. Shark (Kasem)

65. Barracuda (Imampir / Imbenasar)

66. Green Turtle (Waukaku)

67. Hawksbill Turtle (Waumis)

68. Badur (Insaser)

69. Yellow Tail (Inspai)

70. Ray (Arndai)

71. Manta Ray (Manggapap)

72. Kabires (Kabires)

73. Clam (Kamer)

74. Manwarek (Manwarek)

75. Sanon (Sanon)

76. Tiger Cowrie (Kang)

77. Asaphis (Insei)

78. Makbawen (Makbawen)

79. Tendong (Manggardan)

80. Gonggong Sea Snail (Mansi)

81. Giant Clam (Arom)

82. Mangrove Shell (Insyonek)

83. Hole Clam (Insef)

84. Octopus (Kombrof/Kais)

85. Sea Snail (Ranser)

86. Moon Eye Snail (Kadwor)

87. Coral Root (Arwam)

88. Triton (Kbur)

89. Green Shell (Inpurem)

90. Goat Head Shell (Manggarpur)

91. Sea Anemone (Sarkyu)

92. Sand Shrimp (Buryas)

93. White-legged Shrimp (Inggansu)

94. Lobster (Barupu)

95. Cotton Shrimp (Kanggen)

96. Opheodesoma (Inanu)

97. Mock Sea Cucumber (Pimam benang)

98. White Milk Sea Cucumber (Pimam sus)

99. Rubber Sea Cucumber (Pimam karet)

For Sale

1. Sand Sea Cucumber (Pimam tawas)

2. Sea Cucumber (Kamboa)

3. Bitter Sea Cucumber (Mansarmar)

4. Pineapple Sea Cucumber (Pimam nenas)

5. Shoe Sea Cucumber (Pimam sepatu)

6. Karbek (Karbek)

7. Transgender Sea Cucumber (Pimam bencong)

8. Apostichopus japonikus (Pimam Amprim)

9. Blood Sea Cucumber (Pimam dara)

10. Horse Sea Cucumber (Pimam kuda)

11. Dog Sea Cucumber (Pimam nafan)

For Keeping

1. Coastal Trinil (Mansibin)

2. Stork (Mansorom)

3. Crow (Manwawa)

4. Green Tree Lizard (Kabi)

5. Sea Dove (Sandomun)

6. Small Egret (Menserndu)

7. Sea Goose (Mangibin-gibin)

8. Coconut Lory (Mankfir)

9. Green Lory (Mannes)

10. Sea Gull (Mambenau)

The Community Managed Conservation Area (AKKM) in the Padaido Islands has an important position in supporting the sustainability of marine and coastal resources, while also maintaining the relationship between indigenous peoples and their living space. The existence of this AKKM is located within the Marine Tourism Park (TWP) of the Padaido Islands, which was officially established through the Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number KEP.68/MEN/2009 concerning the Establishment of the National Marine Conservation Area of the Padaido Islands and the Surrounding Sea in Papua Province.

Furthermore, the management direction of the area is strengthened by the Decree of the Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Number 62/KEPMEN-KP/2014 concerning the Management and Zoning Plan of the TWP of the Padaido Islands and the Surrounding Sea in Papua Province for 2014–2034. This document serves as a guideline for regulating the zoning of utilization, protection, and sustainable preservation of marine ecosystems.