Tifa (Papua)

Tifa is an originally musical instrument from Papua. A traditional Asmat’s drum looks very similar to the shape of an hourglass, with the bottom end kept open, and the top covered with deer skin.

At its mid part is the handle that is usually beautifully carved. World-wide known for its wooden sculptures, the Asmat Wow Ipitsj (wood carvers) produce unique carvings with extraordinary shapes and outlines, with colors usually in terracotta red, black, and white. A tifa is exaggeratedly decorated with fantastic carvings from top to bottom, made of black wood found only in the swampy forests nearby. A tifa may come in many sizes, from a short one of around 1 foot in length, to those around 6 to 7 feet long.

How to play the Tifa is relatively easy, just like a drum, is by hitting the instrument with the palm of the hand.

According to Asmat myth, a tifa was originally created and played by an Asmat god, named Fumiripitsj, who once created many human statues to keep him company when he felt lonesome. But when he carved a tree trunk into a drum and played it, these sculptures came to life and danced along with the sound of tifa. With that myth living among this community until today, the tifa continues to be an inextricable part of Asmat rituals and is considered a highly valuable item.

There are several different types of musical instruments such as Tifa Jekir, Basic Tifa, Tifa Cut, Tifa Potong and Jekir Tifa Bas.