Nanci Imelda Nahuway's painting exhibition opens at Warkop An Meke

Highland Papua Province Family Empowerment and Welfare Movement Team (TP-PKK) Head Herwin Wanggai officially opened a painting exhibition about noken and coffee by Nanci Imelda Nahuway at Warkop An Meke, Gang Nirwana Wamena Road in Wamena District, Jayawijaya Regency, Highland Papua on Mar. 1, 2025.

Herwin said that noken has an important value for Papuan culture. Noken is also one of the cultural heritages that has been registered with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

"We don't make much, but we have promoted noken and coffee at several important events in Jakarta, in the context of Inacraft (Jakarta International Handicraft and Trade Fair) 2025 which was directly visited by the vice president," she stated on Mar. 1, 2025.

Herwin added she had promoted noken in several places, including during the inauguration of members of the Indonesian House of Representatives in Jakarta.

"We were appointed to hold a noken and coffee exhibition there. The legislators considered that we have a unique culture, and noken could also be used to attract attention [for economic and investment purposes]," she explained.

Wanggai also plans to write a book about noken and coffee.

"That is my hope after the end of our term of office, so please support me," she said.

Acting Highland Papua Governor Velix Wanggai, who was present at the exhibition, said that he managed to go to Jakarta during his elementary school days because of painting.

"So, painting is an art that we [must] continue to maintain," he said.

Velix added that the Highland Papua people should be grateful because God has bestowed Papua's rich and beautiful nature of for them.

Meanwhile, Nanci said that her painting of noken and coffee was inspired by a Papuan women from the Yali tribe, namely Mama Helena, who faithfully knits noken.

"Coffee is also popular here [in , so we include it in my paintings," she said.

She explained that the painting process took time to get good results.

"I had to glue them one by one. Yes, it took quite a long time, but I finished it in one month because Mama Governor [Ribka Haluk] was also about to end her term of office," she said.

Nanci Nahuway thanked Ribka, Velix, and 1702/Jayawijaya Military District Commander Lt. Col. Arh Reza Ch. A. Mamoribo for seeing the painting firsthand and supporting the growth of micro, small, and medium enterprises.