Victor Mambor, Jayapura – Weynand Watory of the Papua Customary Council (DAP) described the late Tom Beanal as a true representative of Indigenous Papuans. Watory said Tom Beanal was shaped by strong cultural values from an early age, long before he was enriched by religion, education, and political experience.

"The core of his formation remained customary values; external values were only complementary," Weynand Watory said during the launch and discussion of the three-volume book series on Tom Beanal at the Paroki Kristus Terang Dunia Hall, Waena, Heram District, Jayapura City, Papua, on Thursday (26/02/2026).

He said Tom Beanal was a charismatic leader – calm and not one to speak excessively. He often conveyed his ideas through customary narratives and cultural wisdom. His courage, Watory added, was similar to that of another Papuan figure, the late Theys Hiyo Eluay bold in voicing truth and justice for his people.

"Both customary leaders were born from the courage to defend the dignity and identity of the Papuan people," he said.

According to Watory, for the Papuan nation, Tom Beanal is not merely a historical figure, but a living spirit of freedom and Papuan identity that continues within society.

"Figures like Mr. Tom [Beanal] must always be remembered, and the values of his struggle must be passed on to the next generation," he said.

Tom Beanal is remembered not only as customary leader and Papuan activist figure, but also as a father who passed on the values of freedom and identity to his family and the wider community.

Watory continued that the greatest challenge today is preserving the identity of young Papuans amid the rapid flow of technology and external cultures influences.

He noted that many Indegineous Papuan youth are beginning to lose their local languages and are growing distant from their cultural roots.

In fact, Tanah Papua is home to more than 300 ethnic groups, with extraordinary cultural and natural wealth. Therefore, the Papuan Customary Council encourages the importance of human rights and democracy education that remains grounded in customary values.

Meanhwhile, Florentinus Beanal, the son of the late Tom Beanal, said his father's leadership was not shaped through a quick or instant process.

Tom Beanal was raised as the son of a tribal chief, and from childhood was taught to understand customary responsibilities – from the stone-burning feast tradition (bakar batu), to building houses, to learning how to lead his community.

He said this is what shaped him through observing his father's character. Tom Beanal did not merely speak; he was courageous fighting for the truth.

"Dad was a model of steadfastness for our family and an example for us. He taught strength, loyalty and courage in fighting for truth for the Papuan people," Florentinus Beanal said.

According to him, life's journey led Tom Beanal from the customary environment into the church, where he found a place of formation that he considered his second home.

Although he did not complete formal education on several occasions, the church continued to accept and guide him. It was the meeting of customary and church valued that shaped his character and worldview.

He carried these values with him when entering the modern world and building a family. He was also known as someone who highly upheld freedom.

"Dad used to say that human beings should not be constantly ordered around, but must live free and independent," he said.

He also added that this principle became the foundation of Tom Beanal's struggle for the Papuan people. However, behind his public role, the family felt the consequences of that calling.

Florentinus Beanal admitted that while studying in Jakarta, he once protested to his father because he felt that attention to the family was often overshadowed by his struggles outside the home.

"I felt that dad is focusing more on society, while we rarely received direct attention," he said.

Even so, his father did not give lengthy explanations. He chose instead to demonstrate his life stance through concrete actions.

From that, the family learned to understand that such sacrifice was part of his calling as a fighter.

"We only understood after his passing. We see that struggle as a source of pride. Until now and forever, dad remains the central figure in our lives because his exemplary life continues to inspire us," Florentinus Beanal said.

Source: https://jubi.id/pacnews/2026/tom-beanal-the-true-indigenous-of-papua