ISLAM-CHRISTIAN, 'KAKA-ADE’: THE WAY THE KOKODA COMMUNITY CARES FOR RELIGIOUS HARMONY IN SORONG CITY

Abstract

The socio-religious life in Sorong City, West Papua has been looking exemplary. There are almost no conflicts in the name of religion or ethnicity. As the two dominant religions, the relationship between Muslims and Christians is harmonious, which is shown by the intensive dialogues and cooperation between the two religions. In the Kokoda Community in Sorong City, apart from dialogue and cooperation, Kokoda’s Muslims and Christians still live under "one roof". This tradition has been going on for a long time, and they maintain it until now. This study aims to describe the practice of religious harmony in the Kokoda community and the local traditions on which they serve as the basis for building religious harmony. The research data were collected through in-depth interviews, observation, and literature study. The informants of this study were the Chairman of the Sorong and West Papua Customary Institutions, youth leaders of Kokoda, Kokoda residents, and non-Kokoda residents in Sorong. The findings of this study are as follows: First, the religious harmony in the Kokoda community can be seen in the mutual cooperation activities in building houses of worship regardless of religion. Second; Despite their different religions, Kokoda’s Muslims and Christians live harmoniously in one house. The tradition of interfaith marriage is a legacy from our ancestors, because they view Islam and Christian as kaka-ade (brother/sister). Daily activities such as looking for “mangi-mangi” wood, celebrating religious holidays together, and eating papeda, are the Kokoda community's way of managing and maintaining inter-religious harmony.