Local Knowledge, Disease and Healing in a Papua Community

Praise to God who has given me wisdom and knowledge and strength, so that I can finish this dissertation with time and of God’s plan. As the author, I realised that in writing this dissertation, of course, there are flaws in it, so I readily accept all criticisms and constructive suggestions from various parties to repair this thesis so that it better meets scientific writing.

On this occasion, I would like to say that this dissertation could only be realised through the moral and material support from various parties. Firstly, I want to thank Prof. Dr. Brigitta Hauser-Schäublin as the first supervisor and Prof. Dr. Michael Mühlenberg, as the second supervisor, who have both given time and energy to guide and direct the author to finish this dissertation. I would like also like to thank Prof. Dr. Elfriede Hermann very much to for the motivation and support she has provided as well as time for discussion of the writing of this dissertation. In addition, I also thank Prof. Dr. Brigitta Hauser- Schäublin, Prof. Dr. Michael Mühlenberg and Prof. Dr. Elfriede Hermann in their roles as the thesis committee who read and provided an assessment of this dissertation

I could study at the University of Göttingen because of the financial support provided by the Government of Indonesia. I would like to take this opportunity to give my thanks to the Ministry of Education of Indonesia, especially the Directorate General of Higher Education (DIKTI). I also thank the head of Georg-August University of Göttingen, and especially Prof. Dr. Brigitta Hauser-Schäublin, who helped me with this project so that I could get money to continue to live in Gottingen and finish my study. I express my gratitude to the leadership of the University of Cenderawasih who gave me the opportunity to continue my studies, in particular to Samuel J. Renyaan, M.Sc and Dr. Margaretha Z. Pangau for all their help, so that I could continue my studies in Göttingen.

Through this wonderful opportunity, I also express thanks to the Government of Papua Province, the Government of West Papua Province and the Government of South Sorong regency, especially the Government of the Teminabuan District and the District of Sawiat for all the support that has been given to the author for study and research. The same acknowledgements are also presented to the leadership of Sawiat Health Centre, Teminabuan Health Centre and the Director and all the staff of Scholoo hospital who provided data to me.

I also thank the heads and all the people living in the villages of Sawiat, Sadrofoyo, Wenslolo, Klaogin, Meriba, Seribau and Kikiso who have taken part in my study as informants. Furthermore, I am very grateful to the key informants who patiently provided me with all the data that I needed for the writing of this dissertation. Furthermore, I would like to give my thanks and appreciation to the Mr. Wilhemus/Woun Kalilie (deceased), Woun Mbolhoq, Wonfi Kollonggia (deceased), Lince Segetmena(deceased), Mr. Woun Mbolhoq, Woun Wafotolo, Mr. Nico Krenak, Mr. Elly Sesa, Mrs. Waelaruno and Mrs. Subae.

In addition, I would like to thank Dr. J. R. Mansoben, Dr.Steptinus Saa, M.Si (Dean of Fisip UNCEN) and the late Dean of Fisip UNCEN Naffi Sanggenafa, MA. who supported me both financially and mentally during my study in Germany. Similarly, my gratitude goes to the late Drs. Barkis Suraadmadja, was a colleague in the Anthropology Department of Cenderawasih University. Healways motivated me to continue and finish my studies. Thank you so much to the late Mecky Wasfle, M.Pd. who always supported and motivated me to continue my study. I also express my gratitude to the family of Agus Momoth who invited me to stay in their home during the early research in Teminabuan. I would like to thank my friends Wigaty Dyiah Prasasti, I Wayan Suyadnya, Serena Müller, Miriam Sanmukri, Meike Rieger, Anna Grumblies, Sophie Strauss, Oliver Lueb, Aditya Eggert, Anne Splettstößer, Arnika Peselmann, Reni, Eileen, Christin, and all other friends in Göttingen who helped me with all the support, both materially and morally. Anna Grumblies, Meike Rieger, Miriam Sanmukri and Serena Müller acted as my tutors over the years and I am grateful for their support and commitment. I am very grateful to my friend Dr. Dianne van Oosterhout who took the time and energy to give thought to my dissertation, discuss it with me and improve my English writing before I submitted the entire dissertation to the university. I also thank Victor Simbiak, herbalist, at Papuan University in Manokwari, for help identifying the Latin names of plants presented in this dissertation.

Finally, thank you to Femi, Afie, Yuli, Yosias Gandi and family, Rose, Adel, Lani, Uli and all my friends and all priests in our church who prayed together with me, Last but not least, I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family: to my brothers Don, Daan, Wolas, Yusak and Ruland, and my sisters, Jull, Bitha, Sri, Nelly, Ketty, Lince, Jubelina, Juli, Frida, Elis and Sance and my nephews Rio Flassy, Samuel, Toror, Steven, LammyJemmy, and also my nieces Olga, Martha, Rosa, Hilda, Yokbet and Betty. Thank you for all your prayers and financial support you gave me to complete the study.

Hopefully this dissertation can provide benefits for public health development in Papua and those who need to study medical anthropology.