Papuan Women and Their Culture: Reception Analysis of Cultural Identity Portrayed in "Noken Rahim Kedua" Documentary

This study aims to identify the meaning of Papuan cultural identity in "Noken Rahim Kedua" documentary received by Papuan women. Using the phenomenological method and Stuart Hall's encoding-decoding theory, this study explores the encoding process by filmmakers and the decoding process by Papuan women through in-depth interviews. Overall, the four Papuan women are in the negotiating position. They do not simply accept the meaning presented by the filmmaker. Lack of women's involvement in the documentary made it considered unable to truly represent Papuan women's voices. Several dominant factors that influence the reception, including 1) Ethnic origin and cultural knowledge; 2) Family; and 3) Surroundings. There are also two exciting things regarding the values that Papuan women viewers believe. First, all Papua women viewers believe that gender equality is fundamental. However, a Papuan woman viewer disagrees if men do not work. Second, all Papuan women viewers believe culture should be preserved and proud of because it is an identity. However, a Papuan woman viewer says that culture does not need to be done if it is considered harmful and troublesome. Suggestions for future researchers are to be able to explore ethnic diversity; and for future documentary filmmakers to involve various perspectives.