Jakarta – The local theater company Teater Koma staged a politically charged performance of "Cahaya dari Papua" ("Light from Papua") at Galeri Indonesia Kaya last Saturday.

Directed by Nano Riantiarno, the 50-minute play revolves around a devilish dragon that terrorizes Papua. The play's storyline can be seen as an allegory for the repressions the Papuans have been facing since the land became part of Indonesia back in the 1960s.

The fire-breathing creature in the play – which may represent certain outsiders grabbing Papua's natural resources – monopolizes all the foods and causes hunger among the people. But a prophecy predicts that a newborn baby will become a hero that eventually saves Papua from the dragon.

"Our production of 'Cahaya dari Papua' this time is a development from the one we staged last year. Through this performance, we want to put a focus on the land of Papua and its hopeful progress toward a better future," the director said in a statement.

Since its inception in 1977, Teater Koma has produced around 130 plays – including works of internationally renowned playwrights like Shakespeare and Moliere – for television and the stages of Taman Ismail Marzuki and Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.

Source: http://jakartaglobe.beritasatu.com/features/teater-koma-casts-spotlight-land-papua/