Theological and Anthropological Analysis of the Representation of the Pig Feast Tradition in Documentary Films in Papua

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FORMOSA NEWS - Papua - Documentary Film Portrays Papuan Pig Feast Tradition as a Powerful Symbol of Unity and Faith. Documentary films depicting indigenous traditions do more than preserve cultural history; they serve as a vital bridge for understanding community identity and spiritual values in modern society. Umas Tabuni, a researcher from the Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Baptis di Papua, published a comprehensive study in August 2026 analyzing how visual media represents the sacred pig feast tradition in Papua. Published in the Indonesian Journal of Christian Education and Theology (IJCET), the research highlights how media representations of local rituals reinforce social solidarity, cultural preservation, and contextual theology.

Cultural Background and Media Context
In Papuan indigenous communities, pigs represent far more than an economic commodity or food source. The pig feast tradition serves as a foundational social institution that maintains kinship ties, facilitates community exchange, and honors cultural heritage. However, rapid globalization and modernization constantly challenge and redefine traditional practices. Documentary films have emerged as a influential medium shaping public perception of Papuan culture. Despite extensive media production, academic studies have rarely combined both theological and anthropological frameworks to analyze visual media representations of local rituals. Umas Tabuni's research bridges this academic gap by examining how audiovisual storytelling constructs social and religious meaning for global audiences.

Simple Research Methodology
To uncover the symbolic meanings within visual media, Umas Tabuni applied a descriptive-interpretative qualitative content analysis. The methodology focused directly on the visual text without relying on external survey respondents:

• Unit of Analysis: The study systematically evaluated scenes, narratives, dialogue, and visual symbols within a targeted documentary film featuring the Papuan pig feast.
  
• Data Collection: Data was gathered through non-participant visual observation, repeated viewing, detailed scene logging, and thematic classification.
  
• Analytical Tools: The researcher utilized NVivo software to code narrative and visual data into structured theological and anthropological categories, ensuring objective and transparent qualitative findings.
  

Core Research Findings

The research revealed four primary dimensions through which documentary films portray the Papuan pig feast tradition:

• Spiritual Gratitude and Contextual Theology: The film presents the preparation and distribution of the feast as an act of thanksgiving for life and sustenance. The ritual connects community members to local belief systems, demonstrating how indigenous spiritual values seamlessly integrate into lived religious experiences.
  
• Mechanism for Social Solidarity: Visual narratives emphasize collective participation across social groups. Customary leaders, elders, men, women, and youth collaborate in organizing the event, demonstrating mutual assistance, fair resource distribution, and community cohesion.
  
• Reinforcement of Customary Leadership and Order: Customary leaders are depicted as guardians of ancestral tradition and social stability. Their central role in guiding the festival reinforces social order and transmits cultural norms to younger generations.
  
• Visual Representation of Collective Identity: Camera framing and scene selection consistently highlight group activities over individual actions. Traditional attire, native language usage, and ceremonial objects visually reinforce Papuan cultural identity as an enduring, shared heritage.
  

Real-World Implications and Social Impact
The findings of this study offer valuable insights across multiple sectors, including media production, public policy, and education. For filmmakers and media professionals, the research emphasizes the importance of ethical and culturally sensitive representations that avoid harmful stereotypes. By framing local traditions through their social and spiritual utility, media creators can foster greater cultural appreciation and intercultural dialogue. In academic and theological fields, the study demonstrates that traditional customs can serve as living expressions of faith and social ethics. Umas Tabuni highlights that dialogue between religion and culture creates a constructive space for contextual theology, where indigenous heritage enriches community values rather than conflicting with them.

Author Profile
Umas Tabuni. Sekolah Tinggi Teologi Baptis di Papua. Field of Expertise: Contextual Theology, Cultural Anthropology, and Media Studies

Source
Umas Tabuni. Theological and Anthropological Analysis of the Representation of the Pig Feast Tradition in Documentary Films in Papua. Indonesian Journal of Christian Education and Theology (IJCET). Volume 5, No. 3, Agustus 2026, Halaman 315–324.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.55927/ijcet.v5i3.35
URL: https://journalijcet.my.id/index.php/ijce/Index