The most well-known varieties of nutmeg come from Banda Island, Maluku, but actually there is another high-quality variety, namely nutmeg from Fakfak, West Papua.
The difference between Banda and Papua nutmeg can be seen physically. Banda nutmeg is round, while Papuan nutmeg is oval in shape with a larger size.
Inobu Foundation's Sustainable Sourcing Manager, Ofra Shinta Fitri, said the taste of Papuan nutmeg flesh is also sweeter and does not leave a bitter taste.
In fact, the Co-founder of Inspirational Young Papua, Nanny Uswanas, said that nutmeg flesh is often used as a substitute for oranges in Fakfak people's cooking.
According to Nanny, 70 to 80 percent of the Fakfak Regency area is endemic nutmeg forest. For the people of Fakfak, nutmeg does not only act as a food ingredient, but also has economic, social and cultural functions, as well as ecology.
Here are six interesting facts about Papuan nutmeg, as quoted from a press release on Monday.
Mother who gives life
Culturally, the nutmeg tree in Fakfak is considered like a mother by the local community because the tree is considered to give life. To protect the nutmeg tree, Nanny said the community would impose customary sanctions if someone cut down the nutmeg tree.
Nanny is of the opinion that the pace of development which will require the clearing of new land – perhaps at the expense of nutmeg forest – cannot be restrained. Therefore, according to him, land clearing regulations must be accompanied by initiatives to replant nutmeg and make certain locations as nutmeg conservation areas, a kind of protected forest.
Barter tool in ancient times
Nutmeg was seen as a commodity with high economic value during the colonial period. Nanny told me that nutmeg was first exported in the form of barter. Nutmeg exports, said Nanny, have been carried out since the Dutch era.
Later, when the formal government began to form, only then did the public recognize nutmeg as a superior commodity whose value was very promising. Sales in ancient times were not per fruit, but per tree.
"Actually, the picker will lose money, if there are a lot of fruit in one tree. However, in the past, the transactions were traditionally like that," said Nanny.
Used as a "living bank"
Selling nutmeg or pawning nutmeg trees cannot be used as the main livelihood for Fakfak residents because nutmeg cannot be harvested every day. According to Nanny, the nutmeg harvested and sold by the community is used as a "living bank" or reserve fund.
Papuan nutmeg can be sold in fresh or dried form. According to Nanny, since he was a child until now, the residents of Fakfak sell freshly picked nutmeg per 1,000 pieces. Meanwhile, dry nutmeg is sold on average per kilogram.
Protect the environment from disaster
The diameter of the Papuan nutmeg tree trunk is not large, but it has very strong roots. Nanny said the tree roots play an important role in preventing floods and landslides.
"Fakfak Regency rarely experiences flooding. Not because the area is hilly, but because the roots of the nutmeg tree prevent the disaster," said Nanny.
Given the importance of the role of nutmeg in life, it is taboo for the people of Fakfak to cut down nutmeg trees carelessly. Moreover, for needs that are not too important.
Part of the culture
Viewed as a giver of life, nutmeg is also inseparable from the culture of the Papuan people, especially the people of Fakfak.
Every time the community is going to harvest, Nanny said that they tie a nutmeg tree with a white cloth to represent a nutmeg forest.
"When we talk about nutmeg, forests and nature, we are also talking about God's mercy. Therefore, a traditional leader who leads the ceremony invites residents to offer thanksgiving prayers according to their respective religions," he said.
Papuan nutmeg conservation efforts
For hundreds of years nutmeg seeding took place naturally by birds. According to Nanny, nutmeg cultivation was only carried out about 10 to 15 years ago.
Ofra added that the government has also begun to design a Papuan nutmeg cultivation program. According to him, this is a good step. It's just that, he hopes, this cultivation will continue to use papua's oval nutmeg seeds so that its biodiversity is not lost.
The parts of the nutmeg that have the highest economic value are the red seeds and mace. Meanwhile, the flesh of the fruit is still rarely used. When it has become a cultivation, the flesh of the nutmeg becomes abundant.
"Therefore, the Inobu Foundation is also thinking about value creation from nutmeg, so that the selling value is higher. One of them is making essential oils," said Ofra.
SOURCE: https://www.antaranews.com/berita/2799793/menkenal-pala-papua-dalam-ke Hidupan- Masyarakat-fakfak
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