Wamena Quiet on Repentance Day: Government Steps Towards a City of Peace
WAMENA, JAYAWIJAYA-JAYA NEWS.COM — A different atmosphere enveloped the city of Wamena today, Thursday, July 31, 2025. Public activity was barely visible. The streets were deserted, shops were closed, and government buildings appeared silent, devoid of their usual routines. The usually bustling city now seemed to be taking time to rest and reflect.
Only the sounds of birds and the wind could be heard through the trees and between buildings. This condition was not due to security disturbances, but rather part of a local government policy: Repentance and Reconciliation Day, established annually at the end of July by the Jayawijaya Regency Government.
This policy has received widespread support from the community, including young people who see it as a visionary step towards creating sustainable peace in Wamena.
“We, the Lapago Youth, strongly support the Jayawijaya Regency Government’s program to establish an annual day of reconciliation. This is a wise way to create a safer and more peaceful atmosphere,” said Leppy Kogoya, a local youth leader, on Thursday (July 31, 2025).
Collective Reflection for Peace
The establishment of this day of silence is intended as a moment of collective repentance, where all levels of society can reflect on the values of coexistence, brotherhood, and shared responsibility for maintaining peace.
The local government emphasized that this approach is not merely symbolic, but part of a strategic effort to rebuild trust, solidarity, and social security amidst the various challenges the city has faced in recent years.
“Peace does not come from outside. It is born from within ourselves. We start with us, for our country,” said Leppy Kogoya, a Lapago Youth leader in Sinakma Village, Wamena.
Promoting a New Culture: Silence for Peace
The Day of Repentance, observed throughout Wamena, also serves as a reminder that peaceful politics, a unifying religion, and customs that respect life must be the foundation of Jayawijaya society.
Residents are encouraged to refrain from all forms of economic and social activity on this day. No vehicles are allowed, no market activity is allowed, and even places of worship invite their congregations to contemplate in silence.
The community hopes that this momentum will not only become an annual event but will foster a culture of peace embedded in the daily lives of the Baliem Valley community. (Bk)
Author: Leppy Kogoya
(Pemuda Lapago)
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