Indigenous ecological wisdom as civic virtue: The Tiaytiki practice in Papua, Indonesia

Authors

  • Yakob Godlif Malatuny Sekolah Tinggi Agama Kristen Protestan Negeri Sentani, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0000-2884-3534
  • Hermina Nelci Yaroseray Sekolah Tinggi Agama Kristen Protestan Negeri Sentani , Indonesia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21831/jc.v23i1.89865

Keywords:

civic ecology, civic virtue, ecotheology, Tiaytiki, Yapase

Abstract

This research explores the local wisdom of Tiaytiki of the Yepase community in Jayapura Regency, Papua, as a form of citizen virtue in caring for and maintaining the sustainability of marine ecology. The ancestors have passed Tiaytiki down to the current community, which serves to preserve marine resources through zoning mechanisms, prohibitions on overexploitation, and the application of customary sanctions. Rooted in local beliefs and cosmology, Tiaytiki is not only a technical customary rule but also a substantial moral expression that emphasises collective responsibility, social solidarity, and spiritual awareness to live in harmony with nature. The research has been conducted qualitatively using the case study method. Research data were collected through in-depth interviews, participatory observation, and documentation. The analysis shows that there are five dimensions of civic virtue in Tiaytiki: spiritual, social, educational, marine-ecological, and institutional, which can serve as a model for caring for nature. This model not only serves as a mechanism for marine conservation but also as an educational tool to instil ecological character in the younger generation. The findings confirm that Tiaytiki is the intersection of civic ecology and civic virtue, and that it contributes to the development of contextualised civic education oriented towards environmental sustainability.

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2026-04-02

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Malatuny, Y. G., & Yaroseray , H. N. (2026). Indigenous ecological wisdom as civic virtue: The Tiaytiki practice in Papua, Indonesia. Jurnal Civics: Media Kajian Kewarganegaraan, 23(1), 196–208. https://doi.org/10.21831/jc.v23i1.89865

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Vol. 23 No. 1 (2026)

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Original Research Article

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