WAMENA – In celebration of the upcoming Liga 4 National Tournament for the Papua Pegunungan region, the local government of Papua Pegunungan has made history by setting a world record with the largest participation in the Wisisi dance. The event took place at the Wamena Education Stadium on Thursday, March 20, 2025, with 1,140 participants, mostly students from various schools.
Awan Raharggo, the Director of Marketing for the Muri Record Institute, explained that after verification, the Wisisi dance, performed by over a thousand participants, was officially recognized as a world record. “The Wisisi dance is unique to Papua Pegunungan, and no other country has a similar tradition. We are confident that no other nation has this dance, making it special,” said Raharggo. He added that the 1,140 participants far exceeded the initial target, making the event an extraordinary achievement.
Meanwhile, Acting Governor of Papua Pegunungan, Velix Wanggai, emphasized that the Wisisi dance also served as the opening ceremony for the Liga 4 National Tournament, scheduled to take place from March 22 to 31, 2025. According to Wanggai, the event is vital for preserving the traditional dance, which blends local music and modern elements, while also showcasing the cultural richness of Papua Pegunungan to the world.
“Through this event, we are not only celebrating our culture but also providing an opportunity for children to be involved in preserving this rich cultural heritage,” Wanggai stated. He also expressed gratitude to the schools that participated, including SD Kulitarek, SD Negeri, SMP N 2, and YPPK Santho Yusuf, for their contributions in making the event a success and achieving the world record.
With the official recognition from the Muri Record Institute, the Wisisi dance is now recorded in history as one of Indonesia’s cultural treasures to be proud of
