Renegotiating Ondoafi’s Customary Authority in Performing Isolo: How Does the Sentani Lake Festival Reconfigure Local Tradition?

Abstract

Isolo is a traditional art of dancing on traditional boats (canoe) on Lake Sentani which has long been practiced by Sentani Customary Community in Papua, Indonesia. This tradition symbolizes the authority and dignity of an Ondoafi, the highest Sentani customary leader. This article examines the transformation of Isolo tradition, by analyzing how the authority of the Ondoafi is renegotiated in the state-managed setting of the Sentani Lake Festival (FDS). Cultural festivals in Indonesia are increasingly used as instruments of tourism and state representation, often reshaping the roles of customary leaders and altering the governance of indigenous traditions. Using participatory ethnography explained by legal pluralism and socio-artistic approaches, the study investigates how Isolo functions simultaneously as a sacred ritual and a cultural performance that constructs Sentani identity. The findings reveals that the repositioning of the Ondoafi during FDS reflects broader tensions between customary authority, state cultural policies, and the continuity of indigenous knowledge systems. The weakening of traditional institutions such as Rumah Kombo further limits intergenerational transmission of customary norms, making cultural sustainability increasingly dependent on state agendas. The study argues that revitalizing customary educational spaces and strengthening the role of the Ondoafi are essential for ensuring that cultural preservation efforts support indigenous agency rather than remain symbolic. Conceptually, the article contributes to debates on cultural policy, customary law, and the negotiation of customary authority in contemporary Indonesia.