Analisis Budaya, Trauma, dan Makna Kehilangan : Tradisi Iki Palek

Abstract

This study examines the cultural, psychological, and policy dimensions of the Iki Palek tradition practiced by the Dani tribe in the Baliem Valley, Papua. The ritual, which involves finger amputation as an expression of grief, reflects deep symbolic meanings related to loyalty, loss, and spiritual balance within the community. However, the practice also raises critical concerns regarding health risks, psychological trauma, gender inequality, and human rights protection. This research aims to analyze the tradition through a multidisciplinary lens and propose a policy-oriented approach for its transformation. The study employs a qualitative method, combining literature review, non-participant observation, and semi-structured interviews with medical professionals. The analysis is grounded in sociological and psychological theories, including social fact theory, symbolic interactionism, moral development theory, and cultural trauma theory. Findings indicate that Iki Palek functions as a socially enforced norm that reinforces collective identity and solidarity, yet simultaneously produces significant physical harm, long-term psychological distress, and disproportionate burdens on women. From a public policy perspective, the study identifies a fundamental tension between cultural preservation and the protection of human rights. Direct prohibition is deemed ineffective due to the strong cultural legitimacy of the practice. Instead, the study proposes a transformative policy approach that replaces harmful physical rituals with symbolic alternatives while preserving cultural values. This approach emphasizes participatory engagement involving local governments, indigenous leaders, health institutions, and human rights bodies. The study concludes that culturally sensitive and human-centered policy interventions are essential to reconcile tradition with modern principles of health, equality, and human dignity. Transforming Iki Palek into a safer symbolic practice offers a sustainable pathway to balance cultural continuity and human rights protection.