03 - These images of the Papuan independence flag, the Bintang Kejora, and Jesus, are decorations on a young man’s bedroom door in the Wamena dormitory on the Unima campus. Faith and Papuan nationalism are critical to youth culture, and much of their off-campus time is spent in student organisations that incorporate both Christian activities and discussions about politics. Highlanders strongly support Papuan independence, and Wamena has been the site of several major incidents in which indigenous people have been arrested or killed while participating in raising the flag. Students are active in independence politics and see themselves using their education to push for equality and self-determination.

04 - A young man from the Puncak Jaya region near Wamena is baptised in North Sulawesi. North Sulawesi is dominated by evangelical Protestant Christians. Many Papuans, who are also predominantly Christian, get involved in churches where they mix with local people and with student migrants from other regions. At home in Wamena, ethnic tensions keep young people largely separated from non-Papuans, thus these relationships are important new experiences. Still, even though they may bond over Christianity, students still experience racist stereotypes in North Sulawesi.

05 - Every year young people in Wamena dress up for karnaval. The parade, put on by school children, is held in August as part of Independence Day celebrations. Depending on what their school decides to showcase, they may dress up in ‘traditional’ costumes or as future teachers, priests, nuns, soldiers, doctors and sports heroes. This is one way that youth are involved in promoting Indonesian nationalism in Wamena.