Perhaps we all agree that time is a healer. However, on the other hand, it is also a killer. We have all experienced that over time, countless things that were once vibrant and profound may simply fade away. Friendships that used to be close may also dwindle. It is either because of the bustling lives or the distance between them. The warmth within a family may also be diminished because of the isolating routines. The most cherished memories might even drift quietly beneath the rush of life. The same things befall traditions that have been crafted for decades. It might disappear and be replaced by emerging trends that are more up-to-date and accessible.
On the shores of Lake Poso, Central Sulawesi, A Way of Life–Waya Masapi–(Ifdhal Permana, 2024) dives into the dilemma of Ello, a teenager who is standing at the intersection of dreams and the weight of a fading ancestral legacy. Waya Masapi is a traditional fishing gear, which–arguably–is beyond its initial function. Because the people of Tentena believe that waya is a symbol of unity that binds the community, serving as a place where laughter and stories come together while also preserving cultural heritage. The Waya owned by Ello’s family is the only one left, making it even more valuable in the context of preserving tradition. Sooner or later, the Poso Hydroelectricity project has the potential to displace Waya Masapi, just like any other Waya that has been left behind.
Ello is the youngest child who is expected to keep up the sustainability of Waya Masapi while bearing a heavy burden. There is a turbulent desire within him: an eagerness to explore the world, gain experience, or create his own life path, while he carries an expectation to preserve this legacy that is overshadowed in every step. He has nothing to respond––only the hopes and doubts that come and go, challenge Ello to find a balance between preserving his precious legacy and having a burning desire to pursue his dream.
Are we able to work against the clock to keep the legacy alive? Where do we start?
The answer is that it may start with public awareness and collective knowledge. This documentary shows that an adolescent, like Ello, does not walk alone. The younger generation in Tentena proved to be able to convey and explain their cultural knowledge confidently, showing a depth of understanding and love for their heritage. By making it a public discourse, they bring hope to keep cherishing a precious tradition.
A Way of Life (2024) voices the hope of making us realize the importance of those things that are drifting into oblivion. With awareness, effort, and knowledge, we might grant them the chance to survive––not merely for future generations, but also for the values we believe in today. (Tirza Kanya) (Ed. Vanis/Trans. Shafira Rahmasari)
Film Details
A Way of Life (Waya Masapi)
Ifdhal Permana | 25 Min | 2024 | Central Sulawesi
Official Selection for Lanskap
Festival Film Dokumenter 2024
Screening Schedule
Nov. 7 | 19:00 WIB | Militaire Societeit, TBY
Nov. 9 | 13:00 WIB | Ruang Seminar, TBY
