West Papuans celebrate Solstice

Papuans celebrate Solstice - report

Record crowds of 36,500 people descended on the sacred site of Stonehenge in the UK for Summer Solstice. They were joined by Mambesak dance troupe and Benny Wenda who had been invited as special guests for the occasion by English Heritage and the Council of Druids.

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Mambesak performed 3 dances through the night with the highlight coming at sunrise. Archdruid Rollo Maughfling, head of the British Council of Druids explained to the crowd the terrible suffering of the Papuan people and urged everyone present to become active in helping the West Papuan people gain their rightful freedom from Indonesian rule. Mambesak then proceeded to do a sacred ritual dance. They were given a rousing response from the crowds throughout the night with thousands of people taking leaflets and pledging their support for the campaign.

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The attached photos show Mambesak with Archdruid Rollo Maughfling, and also during one of their performances

A report of the Solstice in UK national paper The Times, also briefly mentions the persecution of the Papuan people under Indonesian rule.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/article6547935.ece#cid=OTC-RSS&attr=797084

ENDS

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