Noken / Men: String Bags of the Muyu Tribe of Southern West Papua

Intro

Noken / Men: String Bags of the Muyu Tribe of Southern West Papua is an exhibition co-curated by Veronika Triariyani Kanem, a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Lagi-Maama Academy & Consultancy. The exhibition focuses on the noken, or men, of the Muyu tribe from Southern West Papua and their intricate weaving practices. It highlights Veronika's research on the socio-cultural significance of the noken/men among the Muyu people, her father's tribe.

The exhibition is on now until July 3, 2025, at the Pacific Collaborative Space - L1 Mātauranga Whānui General Library, Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland. The publication is due out early May 2025.

Proudly supported by Creative New Zealand, Lagi-Maama Academy & Consultancy, Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council, J R McKenzie Trust, Fay Nanai, and the team at Herenga Mātauranga Whānui General Library at the University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau.

  • Making process

    Noken / Men: String Bags of the Muyu Tribe of Southern West Papua is an exhibition co-curated by Veronika Triariyani Kanem, a PhD candidate at the University of Auckland - Waipapa Taumata Rau, and Lagi-Maama Academy & Consultancy. It focuses on the noken, known as men, of the Muyu tribe from southern West Papua and their weaving cultural practices. The exhibition is based on Veronika's research, which explores the socio-cultural significance of the noken/men among the Muyu people, her father's tribe.

    Noken doco

  • Urbanisation and deforestation story

    Urbanisation and environmental destruction threaten the Indigenous noken-weaving practices in South Papua Province, Indonesia, home to what’s been called the world’s largest deforestation project.

    Noken/Men: Bags of the Muyu Tribe of South West Papua exhibition at the University of Auckland is part of Veronika Kanem’s PhD submission.

    The research focuses on her father’s tribe, the Muyu people and their string bags. She analyses the mobility of the people, their gift-giving story and the environmental destruction that is happening in her homeland.

    Link to story

  • Exhibition

    Noken / Men: String Bags of the Muyu Tribe of Southern West Papua opened on Thursday 27th March, 2025 and will be up until 3rd July 2025.

    Venue: The Pacific Collaborative Space - L1 Mātauranga Whānui General Library, Waipapa Taumata Rau the University of Auckland.

    Tours: Available on Thursday and Friday’s at 11:00am - please DM to book your place.

    IG link