Cave Paintings Start to Fade, Minister of Culture Urges Mananga Marapu Cave to Become a Cultural Heritage

JAKARTA - Minister of Culture (Menbud) Fadli Zon emphasized the acceleration of the designation of the Mananga Marapu Cave as a cultural reserve when he directly reviewed the site in East Sumba, Saturday, December 27.

This step is considered urgent to protect natural and cultural sites that store traces of early humans.

Fadli explained that the Mananga Marapu Cave was suspected to be the residence and protection of Homo sapiens. The indication can be seen from the discovery of rock art or cave paintings in the form of red ochre palm prints on the cave walls.

"This site is suspected to be the residence and shelter of Homo sapiens. Many rock art from red ochre palm was found," Fadli said in a written statement received on Sunday, December 28.

He emphasized the need for continued conservation with the latest technology so that preservation is systematic and accurate. A number of paintings, he said, have begun to fade so that in-depth research is needed, including carbon dating to determine the age of cave paintings in the karst area.

Fadli also reminded of the threat of climate change to the site's sustainability. The Mananga Marapu cave still functions as a living heritage because the customary rituals still take place. "Climate change can accelerate the fading of the painting and handprints," he said.

Mananga Marapu Cave is a cluster of caves whose name is rooted in the local language. "Mananga" is often associated with the mouth of a river or coast, while "Marapu" refers to the local beliefs of the Sumba people. The coastal area around the site is still used as a space for traditional rituals.

This visit was accompanied by the Ministry of Culture and regional government officials. Closing the review, Fadli encouraged cross-agency collaboration so that the designation of cultural heritage could be carried out immediately, starting from the district level to the national level. "The district government through the cultural heritage expert team is expected to immediately designate the Mananga Marapu Cave so that it can be protected immediately," he said.