MUYU WOMEN IN EXILE

THE MEMBERS ARE :

1. MOHAMMAD RISKY.D (6411419068)
2. ARETA MAHARANI PUTRI.P (6411419143)
3. TIFFANNY OCKTIVIANIE.T (6411419029)
BACKGROUND
• Mindiptana District, the district most inhabited by the Muyu Ethnic community,
is an old city that was born before Tanah Merah (as the capital of Boven Digoel
Regency), and has already experienced the swift flow of modernization
information compared to other regions in the vicinity.
• Muyu Ethnic community in the Mindiptana District is now dominated by
celestial religions.
• Most are Catholics, then Islam and Christianity. Nevertheless the tradition that
originated from Muyu's original beliefs is still preserved by the Muyu people,
and has survived to this day.
VARIOUS OF SICKNESS BY MUYU PEOPLE
• Sick because made by people with black magic,
• Sick because of Dema disorders,
• Sick because of violating Amop (abstinence and social rules),
• Sick due to Iptem (menstruation and childbirth)
WHAT HAPPENED TO MUYU WOMEN?
• Muyu women who are menstruating or giving birth must be exiled outside the main house.
• Usually a small hut will be built as a place of exile tht called tana barambon amib/bevak.
THE MENSTRUATION
• Muyu girls have been educated by their mother about how to handle menstruation and
restriction that must be obeyed.
• Muyu women also have their own pads called ‘kain duk’, made as many as seven (7) in order to
change the dirty pads. The pads are washable and these pads can be used again after drying.
• During their menstruation Muyu women should exiled in Bevak.
• Muyu men are forbidden to eat food cooked by Muyu women that menstruating.
THE CHILDBIRTH
• During their childbirth, Muyu women should exiled in Bevak.
• Some preparation,
- The Bevak,
- There is a ritual called ‘Tarik rambut’ or hair pull. The meaning of this ritual is to protect the
mom form the black magic, Dema, and bad luck.
- Tools
 Dim and Owet/Solok baluh ; an arrow and wooden knife to cut the umbilical cord.
 Men ; baby carrier
 Tana ayit leaf ; as the pillow for the baby and baby cleaning tool
 Wonom ; baby sleeping pad.
• Childbirth is usually assisted by a female relative or by her self.
• There are also midwives and health facilities, but the difficulty of access require that Muyu
women have to give birth in bevak.
• During the puerperium (40 days postpartum), Muyu women also have to live in Bevak.
WHY MUYU WOMEN MUST BE EXILED?
• The belief of the Muyu Ethnic community in the "dirty" birth blood is very strong, they belief
that the blood can contaminate the house with bad luck. This encourages Muyu women not to
give birth at home, and even considers it a taboo.
• Muyu people belive that menstrual blood and childbirth blood can cause Waruk (male magical
power) to be damaged, reduced, or even disappear.
CONCLUSION AND SOLUTION
• Muyu people’s belief the iptem (childbirth) wich maifests as “the most important thing is not
giving birth in the main house”, it is an opportunity that must be captured.
• Use it to change the pattern of childbirth “as long as it’s not at home” to delivery at a health
care facility by midwives or other health worker.
• This fact is a positive thing should be an opportunity for health workers to more directing
mothers giving birth in health facilities and not at home.