Locus theologicus in marine ethno-conservation: theological phenomenology of Tiyaitiki practice in papuan coastal communities

  • Yane Maahury
    Sekolah Tinggi Agama Kristen Protestan Negeri Sentani
    Indonesia
  • Okrisye Lantaka
    Sekolah Tinggi Agama Kristen Protestan Negeri Sentani
    Indonesia
    https://orcid.org/0009-0003-0539-9911
  • Rudolof Nerokepu 
    Sekolah Tinggi Agama Kristen Protestan Negeri Sentani
    Indonesia

Abstract

Studies of Tiyaitiki, a customary practice among Papuan coastal communities of temporarily closing marine areas, have largely treated it as an ethno-conservation mechanism, leaving its religious dimension theologically unexamined. This epistemological gap matters because the continuity of the practice depends on the beliefs that motivate obedience to it. This article aims to show how Tiyaitiki brings forth a profound marine theology for the coastal community of Depapre District, Papua. Using a qualitative phenomenological method, we collected data in Yepase Village through questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, and a focus group discussion with participants from the customary council, the younger generation, and the church. We argue that Tiyaitiki is a locus theologicus, a place of lived experience from which theological knowledge about God, creation, and human responsibility can legitimately be drawn. The findings show that this locus yields a contextual marine theology whose ontological, cosmo-sacred, and ethical dimensions present the sea as fellow creation, as a space of divine presence, and as a ground for Christian stewardship. We conclude that Tiyaitiki strengthens the ecological spirituality of Papuan coastal communities as part of the call of faith

Keywords
  • Blue theology
  • Customary marine tenure
  • Ecological spirituality
  • Locus theologicus
  • Marine ethno-conservation
  • Theological phenomenology
  • Tiyaitiki
Lisensing Information
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite
Maahury, Y., Lantaka, O., & Nerokepu, R. (2026). Locus theologicus in marine ethno-conservation: theological phenomenology of Tiyaitiki practice in papuan coastal communities . Lentera Negeri, 7(1), 2170–2186. https://doi.org/10.29210/994240
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