Today is Friday. It is the twenty second of October, two thousand and four, at eight o'clock early morning. Before I tell the story, I will introduce myself. This is Mrs B Mofu from Nyampun village (in the) East part of Biak Island. I am very happy to tell the great story of this Papuan land. This story originally comes from Sopen village, West Biak. It is the great story of Manarmakeri. A man named Yawi Nusyado was from Sopen village. Yawi Nusyado cleared a garden at the hill which was located at the back (landward) of the Sopen village. He cleared the garden land until it was completed, he cleaned it and burnt it, then he planted it with taro, tuber, and pumpkin. When the plants had grown, Yawi Nusyado made a fence to protect the garden so the pigs would not eat the plants. Yawi Nusyado was very happy because he saw his taro, tuber, and pumpkins grew well. Not long after, Yawi Nusyado saw that a pig had eaten his garden. Yawi Nusyado walked (and) searched around the fence but he did not see any space or hole. Every day the pig ate the garden until Yawi Nusyado got fed up and therefore he had an idea to catch the pig and kill it. One night Yawi Nusyado took his spear and wanted to catch the pig beside the garden. In the middle of the night Yawi Nusyado heard the pig make noise inside the garden. Yawi Nusyado peeped at the pig at the side of the fence until he saw it very well, then, he threw his spear towards (the pig), (and) it stabbed the pig. But when the spear stabbed the pig, Yawi Nusyado was really shocked because he heard the pig did not scream but spoke like a human being saying, "I am finished." At dawn Yawi Nusyado went to search for the pig's footprints so that he could follow it but he did not see any pig's footprints, only human footprints. Yawi Nusyado just followed the human footprints and the blood drops until he came to a cave. Yawi Nusyado saw (that) the road was still going towards the inside of the cave, therefore he thought (that) he should go inside the cave. When he walked two or three steps inward, Yawi Nusyado heard the voice asking him and saying ,"You ! Who are you ? Where are you going ? and What are you looking for ?" Yawi Nusyado stopped, stood, and listened (to) the voice (which) spoke again and said, "You want to take your spear but when you return, you walk backwards then leave!" At that place Yawi Nusyado also asked (a question) and said, "I don't know how I will walk?" The voice told (Yawi Nusyado) again and said, "You just follow and do (what) I've told you, if not you will slip and fall." There Yawi Nusyado followed and did the things that the voice said. At the time Yawi Nusyado heard many people sang, laughed and screamed which showed that they were very very delighted. The voice asked (Yawi Nusyado) again, "Did you hear those voices and recognize them?" Yawi Nusyado answered and said, "I heard the songs and the shouts which were full of happiness." At the time Yawi Nusyado's eyes opened and he saw a big village (which was) clean and beautiful in front of him. He also saw the people who lived in the village, they all looked young. Yawi Nusyado also saw (and) recognized old men and old women who had died a long time ago, they were also there and they also looked young. After Yawi Nusyado saw all of them the voice told (him) again and said, "Your day has not come yet for you to enter this place, therefore, you will return to the land of suffering." "The thing that you just saw was heaven." "Take your spear and leave (go home)!" Yawi Nusyado did not take his spear and just left because a big snake was lying over it. Yawi Nusyado went home with continuous thoughts of the heaven that he'd just seen in the cave. At certain times Yawi Nusyado always sat on his own and all of his thoughts/mind wandered to heaven, the heaven which is full of laughter, shouts and delight that do not end. Thus, for a long time Yawi Nusyado did not take care of his body until he had scabies. Yawi Nusyado's body was full of scabies, so that all the people who lived in Sopen village, old and young, called him the old scabby man. The old Manarmakeri left Sopen village. One day the son of the village chief of Sopen took his bows and arrows and walked around the seaside. Not long after, he saw in front of him a cassowary coming out (from the forest) to the sandy beach and walking seaward to the beach, the young boy stood up (and) quietly watched what the cassowary wanted to do. The cassowary went seaward, walked (and) searched for a pond, (and) after that he sat inside the pond. The cassowary sat a bit longer, then, he stood up and walked to the dry sand landward. He went landward to the dry area, shook his body, and various little fish that were (trapped) on his feathers fell on to the sand. Not long after, one young woman stood by the little plants (which lie along) the beach, (then) she sat (and) collected the various little fish and put them in the basket/bag, after that she climbed up to sit at the cassowary's back and the two entered the bush. The young man's heart was on the cassowary's beautiful young woman so he went straight to the village, and gave a message to many men who lived in the village so that the next day they all went out to surround and catch the cassowary with his very beautiful young girl that he had seen. From dawn onwards many men who lived in Sopen village went out to search for the cassowary and the young woman in the forest. They gathered and surrounded (the cassowary and the girl) but they could not catch them. Just like that and they continuously chased (them) because the son of the village chief had already told them and said that if one could catch the cassowary and the beautiful young girl for him to marry, he would have his sister (the youngest daughter of the village chief). Manarmakrdi heard about this search, thus, he wanted to help look for (the girl). However, the village people told him and said, "Those over there were only the handsome and the strong men, but (whatever) they did, they were not able (to catch the girl) and now you, the person who is old and weak, will you be the one that catches the cassowary?" The old Mananarmakrdi just listened to their words and followed the men who went to the forest and the old Mananarmakrdi, however, walked to that mangrove side and sat hiding in the banyan tree branch. Not long after, he heard a loud noise coming from inside the forest. The men had already surrounded the cassowary but the cassowary ran through the blockade and ran towards the mangrove side over there and mistakenly ran towards the place (where) Manarmakeri was hiding, thus, Manarmakeri stood quickly and used his stick to hook the cassowary’s legs until he fell down, there Manarmakeri caught the young girl. The cassowary, then, took his people and went to Yapen island, that is why today there are no cassowaries in Biak. The old Manarmakeri took the cassowary's young girl and handed her over to the village chief's son to marry her. The thing which was wrong for Manarmakeri was this; the village chief's son did not do (things) according to the words he had promised but it was the pig that he gave to the old Manarmakeri. Thus, Manarmakeri gave the pig for his clan and his people to kill it (and) cook it so they all could eat it. The old Manarmakeri's people went to take firewood, food, and pumpkin leaves from his garden. They killed the pig and roasted it with food and vegetables which they had taken from the old Manarmakeri's garden. When the roasted food was cooked, the people ate all of the food, vegetables, and pig meat until they (all) were gone from the old Manarmakeri. At that time the old Manarmakeri got angry with his people and left (them), he left Sopen, the village that he loved but his people did not love him. Manarmakeri's trip or Manarmakeri's departure. The old Manarmakeri so loved his village, Sopen, the village (where) he grew up, and his favourite hill, the place where he made a garden and stabbed the pig and it said the words, "I am finished", therefore he himself named the the hill as Yamnaibori ("The hill where I was finished"). He loved his people too, however, his scabies had caused his own people to abuse him and not respect him. His people also did not know (how to) love, because they ate all of his plants and his pig. The old Manarmakeri did not have anything left, the remaining things were his stick and his kabasya canoe, (they) were the only two (remaining things). When he sat by himself at Yamnaibori and all of his thoughts were wandering to the heaven he had seen, he did not go to his people (who) had eaten all of the roast food (and left nothing) for him, he avoided talking about the food and the pig that he did not eat, however, he just pushed his kabasya canoe. He only took a paddle, a water jug and his stick and rowed along the sea-side to the east (where the sun rises). At the time the west wind was blowing so the sea was a bit wavy, therefore, the old Manarmakeri thought that he should not continue rowing but he should be at anchor in Maundori village. At the time the tide went down to reach the deep blue-seawater and there was not any harbour. The old Manarmakeri used his stick to open the beach to became a harbour and rowed (his canoe) landward. On the beach he used his stick to make a bay for him to be at anchor. Because at that time the old Manarmakeri was thirsty and there was not any water available, therefore, he used his stick to make water to come out from the rock which was located at the side of the sandy beach. The water became a spring and many people of Maundori village use it as (drinking) water, and they still call it Manarmakeri water. The trip to Mokmer and Wundi island. When the wind blew, the old Manarmakeri got into his small kabasya canoe and rowed along the sea-side towards Samber. When he was near Samber, the old Manarmakeri swam to catch a big snapper with his magic stick. He took the snapper in the small kabasya canoe and rowed to his friend's house in Samber village. They cut the snapper then cooked it until it was cooked (then) ate all of it but the landlady did not have any part of it. When the old Manarmakeri knew (that) the woman did not eat any part of the fish, he felt ashamed and left Samber village, he rowed to Mokmer village. Seaward of Sorido village, the old Manarmakeri used his magic stick to catch a big fish again, took (it) and left because his cousin, Padawankan, was in Mokmer. In Mokmer village, the old Manarmakeri was delighted because he met and talked to his cousin Padawankan, the two had not met each other for a long time. At that time, Padawankan's wife went to the forest and had not returned yet, at that time they cooked the fish that the old Manarmakeri caught in Sorido and ate all of it but Padawankan's wife did not have any part of it. Late that afternoon, Padawankan's wife came home from the forest and saw the fish bones, therefore, she asked for her part but they said the fish were gone. Thus, she was angry and complained (Lit: spoke a lot). The old Manarmakeri heard Padawankan's wife complaining, therefore, he felt ashamed again and requested to leave. Before he left, his cousin, Padawankan, gave (him) two ripe coconuts and one of them had sprouted. The old Manarmakeri left Mokmer village and went to Wundi island, the place that he believed he would find heaven one day. Manarmakeri arrived safely in Wundi island and the people who were on the island welcomed him and did not reject him. In Wundi, the old Manarmakeri was eager to slice a coconut beverage, therefore he requested one coconut tree from the people who lived on the island but they refused to give one to him. At that time the old Manarmakeri planted his coconut seed and it grew very quickly to become a big coconut tree and he sliced it as coconut alcoholic drink. Beginning from that time, the old Manarmakeri all day every day lived only from slicing the coconut beverage, the job that he cared about so much. The work at Wundi island. One morning Manarmakeri went to see his coconut blossom, however, he was very shocked because he saw (that) the four bamboos which hung (on the coconut blossom) were empty, someone must have been stealing-drinking his coconut beverage. Because every morning the beverage was always gone, therefore, Manarmakeri was fed up and thought that he should find the thief who drank his alcoholic drink so that he could arrest him. On the first night Manarmakeri sat observing from the flower of the coconut tree. But in the morning he saw (that) his coconut beverage was still stolen. On the second night Manarmakeri tied a bench in the middle of the coconut tree (so that) he could use (it) to observe the thief. But in the morning he saw again (that) the beverage was empty again. On the third night, Manarmakeri hid at the tip of the coconut leaf between midribs of the coconut. The next morning before the day had fully broken, Manarmakeri saw the thief of the coconut beverage get down from the tip of the coconut leaf. The thief was the morning star or Sampari (special name of the morning star in the Biak language). At that time Manarmakeri stretched his hands over towards (Sampari) to hold (him) until he was held very tightly; Sampari struggled to free himself but he could not release himself from Manarmakeri's arms. The dawn had already come; at that time Sampari was very confused and said, "Oh old man, I beg (you) to release me because the things that will curse me have already appeared (Lit: my curse things already moved up and opened up)." However, Manarmakeri said, "I will not release you until you give me the things that I have been longing for during these days." Sampari asked what Manarmakeri really liked, and he mentioned all of the many things that he thought Manarmakeri would like to have, but Manarmakeri did not respond to any of them. Thus Sampari did ask again and said, "So what is it that you would really like and long for? Say (it)!" Manarmakeri told (him) carefully and said, "The thing that I would like you to give me is this, the heaven is open." Sampari told (him) and said, "Manarmakeri, your request, I already gave it to you this morning before the sun rises." "You already possessed the heaven's opening and it is within you, however, in order (for) you to know the magic things about the heaven's opening, in the future when you see Insoraki, the (daughter) of Rumbarak, the big head of the village, who swims in the river with the (other) girls in the beach near the Mars tree, you (should) move carefully to pick some of the Mars fruit (and) throw (the fruit) seaward to them." "You will see that what happens to Insoraki in the future is the strength of the heaven's opening that you have received from me." "I beg (you) to release me because the morning light already arose, thank you very much." Then, Manarmakeri released Sampari to leave because he has got the thing he longed for. Several days passed, Manarmakeri looked seaward and saw that the girls were swimming in the beach near the Mars tree which declined (pointing) seaward. Manarmakeri moved quietly to hide at the back of the Mars tree trunk, and very carefully looked at a very beautiful girl; she was Insoraki (who) was very famous in the village. Mananarmakeri peeled Mars fruits, after that he said a few words, then, threw them seaward to the water. The Mars fruit drifted in the seawater until one (of them) moved inward (and) hit Insoraki’s breasts. Insoraki was surprised and took the fruit, (and) threw it away. Not long after, the second one moved inward (and) hit Insoraki's breasts again. She held the Mars fruit and threw (it) very far away. However, the third Mars fruit moved inward (and) really hit Insoraki's breast again. Insoraki went home, her breasts were itchy, so she scratched them until not (very) long after she found herself pregnant. Insoraki's parents were shocked at the thing that had caused their daughter to be pregnant, they questioned the people around Wundi island who (might) know the real cause of (it), but no one knew. Insoraki herself also did not know. After a while, her time was right and she had a baby; and it was a boy, and they named him Manarbew. Manarbew grew quickly and became (a) very big handsome (boy); he understood well and could speak, from that time every day he always asked his mother Insoraki and said, "Mum, where is daddy?" Insoraki's parents was fed up (with his questions), thus, one day they had a meeting to decide (that) they would hold a big feast and in that feast they would search for Manarbew's father. The day arrived, the feast started and the people who (came) from all the villages gathered to take part in the feast. Insoraki and her son Manarbew sat at the very front in order to see the men who sang traditional songs and hit traditional drums; and thus, Manarbew (would) recognise his father. At the beginning, the first (group) to walk were the young men, but Manarbew did not see his father. The second row was the middle-aged men, however, Manarbew did not see his father yet. After that, the row of old men walked as well, however, Manarbew did not move at all. Then, the very last group was the very old people, and Manarmakeri was the very last one carrying a stick and (some) leaves to guard (himself from) the flies. When the old men walked in front of Insoraki and Manarbew, Manarbew pointed towards Manarmakeri and said, "Mum, dad is there, mum, dad is there." Manarbew told (his mother) and he was struggling to get loose to go (and) get his father, however, his mother held him tightly because she was very disgusted (seeing) Manarmakeri. Manarbew struggled to get loose until his mother released her hands and he ran towards (his father) (and) hugged Manarmakeri. From there, every one left the big feast; they were angry because Manarmakeri married Insoraki, the very beautiful woman in the island. They destroyed houses and collected all their belongings in their big canoes, destroyed all the small canoes because they did not want Manarmakeri (and) his wife using them. All of the people left Wundi island and went to live in Yobi. Insoraki, Manarbew and Manarmakeri wanted to get into their boat as well, however, they refused to accept them. Insoraki's youngest brother, Saneraro, loved them, therefore, he got down to stay with them in Wundi island. One afternoon, Manarbew was hungry, thus, he asked for food from his mother Insoraki; his mother, Insoraki, ordered (him) and said, "Go (and) eat your father's scabies." Manarbew went (to) ask for food from his father, Manarmakeri, thus, his father, Manarmakeri, told (him) to enter (and) see inside the bedroom and he saw (that) all kinds of food were there. Manarbew told her mother Insoraki, and Insoraki entered (the bedroom) (and) saw (the food) and was surprised but she hid (the thing that she had seen) quietly in her heart. Every day the food was (available) as usual and the three just ate (it). One day Manarmakeri went to burn himself at an iron tree in one part of the island which was called Kaweri. In the afternoon as Manarmakeri walked home, Manarbew saw him from a distance and told his mother, Insoraki, "Mum, Look! Daddy was the one coming here." Insoraki did not believe (him) and said, "Don't boast because your father has scabies and is itchy." After he came home, then, Insoraki knew very well (that) Manarmakeri had already changed his old skin for new skin and he looked young and very handsome. Manarbew told his mother, Insoraki, and said, "Mum, daddy has a miraculous power, he made all things, he just said some words and the fruit and the food were all available." We all could see (that) he has changed himself to become young and he is here among us. At the beginning Insoraki did not really believe in the things that Manarbew said, but (after) a long time, then, her heart believed (it). Therefore, one day Insoraki was angry with her husband, Manarmakeri, and said , "What was the cause that you did not reveal yourself at the beginning so that my people would not have left us?" However, Manarmakeri said, "Don't be angry because we will follow them." The next day Manarmakeri went seaward (and) stood on the side of the beach and made a Mansusu canoe on the beach. He pushed the canoe that he had made seaward to float on the seawater; however, he saw that the Mansusu canoe did not please him. He made a Wairon canoe and pushed it again, however, he did not like it because many people had already made it so he refused it. At that time, he made a big Karures canoe again, he pushed it seaward, it floated and it was the one that Manarmakeri favored. At that time they collected their belongings and left Wundi island to Krawi to see their people. From Krawi to Numfor. Manarmakeri, Insoraki, Manarbew and his uncle, Saneraro, sailed with the karures canoe and they arrived quickly in Krawi. The people of Wundi island who left (them) were all there. Manarmakeri spoke to his father and mother in law so that the two (could) go seaward (and) laid down and (so that) they could push the karures canoe over their back. The old man and the old woman (Manarmakeri's in laws) refused (it) very strongly, they embarrassed Manarmakeri; they said, perhaps HE is the real thing, therefore, he wanted his canoe to lay (over) their body as a pillow. The people refused Manarmakeri and he got angry with them and sailed away to Numfor. If only they had known (about Manarmakeri's magic), they would have followed his words appropriately and therefore they would have changed their old flesh and skin to become young like the way he looked. The father and the mother in law, on the day the two laid down and the Karures canoe moved fast over the two, perhaps, the two would have also changed their body to be young like Manarmakeri himself. The Karures canoe sailed west (to the sunset part) and arrived in Numfori. Manarbew cried to play on the sand because the sun's heat was very hot. At that place Manarmakeri threw a stone landward to become an island, which is called Poiru. Manarbew got down to play in the sand of the small island. The island of Poiru, until today we could see (it); it exists at the seaward side of Pakreki village. On the island Manarmakeri planted four trees and the four trees became four big clans, they were Rumberpon, Rumansara, Anggraidifu and Rumberpur. The head of the four clans was Funkawyan. The departure to King Four islands and to the west (towards the sunset). Manarmakeri (and his family) stayed for a while in Numfor. Manarmakeri told the people and said, "I will make wonderful things at this island, however, I request that you follow well the things that I say." If a person dies, don't weep for him/her because s/he will rise again to be alive. If the food is exhausted, don't look for (it) in Yapen land because various kinds of food will come here by themselves. The Numfor people did not follow Manarmakeri's words carefully, they wept for the dead and still looked for food in Yapen land. Manarmakeri got angry (with) his people who did not obey (his message) and pushed his canoe to leave (them) straight away. When they prepared to sail, Manarbew was still playing on the sand. Manarmakeri threw a poisonous snake to frighten Manarbew, thus, Manarbew was afraid and went seaward to get into the boat. Beginning from that time the poisonous snakes were in Numfor until today. Manarmakeri (and his family) sailed to the King Four islands out there; from that place they sailed straight to the west until they arrived at the foreign lands out there. It was (the reason) that made the strangers become rich (have things) but WE, we don't have anything. Manarmakr'di's messages. The story went like that, Manarmakeri will return in the seventh generation. Mananarmakr'di gave his messages as follows: First, the people should not eat pumpkin and pig because the two (were) the reason Manarmakeri left Sopen village. Second, the people should not eat snake and shrimp because they also changed (their skin) like the way Manarmakeri changed his skin. Third, no one should spill blood because at the place whre the blood spills there is no peace. Fourth, they should build some houses to keep the dead people who would rise again. They should build some houses to store Manarmakeri's food. They should collect some firewood so that there is much (firewood available) because when Manarmakeri comes, the land will be dark for three days. That is the end of this story.