The emergence of Papuan tribal governance : a case study of societal knowledge creation (original) (raw)

It has been an exceptional journey-one that I had never dreamed of before. My research track was started right after I became a graduate student in 2001, when I was accepted by Dr. Katsuhiro Umemoto at the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in Tatsunokuchi, Ishikawa. I am deeply indebted to Dr. Umemoto for his encouragement, advice, mentoring, and research support throughout my doctoral studies. I also truly appreciate his patience and tolerance during my numerous mishaps. This dissertation is part of the research carried out through his vision throughout the last four years. I regard myself fortunate to have the opportunity to work with a group of enthusiastic people in Dr. Umemoto's Social System Lab. I have enjoyed every moment that we have worked together including all those late night lab activities. Former and present Umemoto Lab members have taught me many things about life and research. I appreciate their friendship and their collective encouragement to me in the pursuit of finishing this dissertation. I want especially to thank Shunji Iwatsuki, for his continued support, friendship and openness to share his wisdom; Go Kamada, Masaki Ogushi and Satoshi Suenaga, for their help and friendship; Marcelo Machado, Tunc Medeni and Andre Saito for their suggestions and friendship. My fieldwork might not be possible without support from people whom I would like to direct my thanks to: Decky Rumaropen for his hospitality, openness, and sharing his experience; Agus Sumule for offering me place to stay, his hospitality and his wisdom; Thaha Alhamid, Beni Giay, Theo van de Broek and Deny Yomaki, for their hospitality, openness and sharing of their experiences and ideas. My thanks also go to the members of my evaluation committee: Prof. Yoshio Kawamura, Prof. Shuji Kondou, Prof. Yasuo Ikawa and Associate Prof. Ryoko Toyama for reading previous drafts of this dissertation and providing many valuable comments that improved the presentation and contents of this dissertation. This research has been partially supported by the Grants from Murata Foundation and Rotary Yoneyama Foundation during the final year of my study. iv Getting Ph.D. however, is like getting any other success. It is only possible due to the contribution of many people, which numbers greatly exceed the allotted space for that purpose. For those whose names I do not mention here, please forgive me. For you also I would like to direct my sincere thank. Finally, it is impossible to have my research done without my family's love and support, as well as my parent's encouragement. This dissertation is dedicated to them. To all of you, thank you. v DEDICATION This dissertation is a result of collective efforts from my family and parents. They often gave me valuable advice, reminders, and wisdom about life, when I had hard time understanding. However, they always give me room to explore and make mistakes. This dissertation is dedicated to my family, who has to endure my constant absence, who have given their love, understanding and support, and who never give up their hope of togetherness. A special appreciation goes to Wita Purwasih, my beloved wife, who sometimes had to make long nights to deal with our two 'saru-sans', Adisti and Icha and households; who often anxiously reminded me of not working hard enough, who herself also a doctoral student with her own obligation. A combination of student and family life is hard, but never hard enough to her. I am indebted for her continued support, patient, friendship, caring and love. Throughout my four plus years studentship at JAIST, I have always accompanied by Adisti and Icha, my two lovely 'saru-sans', who live their precious lives in a mixed culture. Their fights, cries, giggles and laughter have colored my days, made the days better enjoyable, and lighten unbearable. They have taught me how to live a life, love, and feel; these, in turn, become the catalyst to my desire of finishing this dissertation. This dissertation is also dedicated to my parents, who have given me all their love and support and let me freely do whatever I want. Special devotion goes to my late mother, who passed away while I was at the height of my study. Without them, there was no way that I could possibly have accomplished this. Their understanding on the value of education is truly beyond my comprehension. I am just a lucky beneficiary. Along the way, my sister Sri Wibawanti has also shared her caring thought.