The Leatherback Turtle

Dermochelys Coriacea, the latin name for the Leatherback Turtle, has a very special meaning for me. Like any other turtle the Leatherback Turtle carries its house where ever it goes. It provides shelter and protection on its journey.

To me living and working in three different continents of this globe, changing places because of work is like carrying your house every time you change your step along your Journey of Life. Like the female Leatherback Turtle, but for totally different reasons for sure, I want to keep in touch with my "mainland" which is my family and friends and significant others.

Another reason is a journey I did with my parents, my father is from Ohoira and my Mother is from Warbal, in 1976 where I was ceremonial introduced to their kampongs (villages) and traditions on Kai Islands in the beautiful South-East of the Mollucas, Indonesia.

In the Local Story Telling Tradition and Customary Law the Leatherback Turtle takes a significant role. The search of the Leatherback Turtle is illustrated with short stories in a beautiful tale about the Journey of a Traditional Fisherman.
It became an unforgettable experience when my parents took me to the places that were linked to this magical tale and even more alive when I encountered my first and only Leatherback Turtles on beach of Ohoira-Ohoiren.

Understanding the Customary Law and Traditions is the key towards an effective conservation of the Leatherback Turtle in the Kai Islands. If we can protect the Journey of the Leatherback Turtle we also protect our Cultural Heritage from disappearing.

This site will reflects my journey and will allow you to travel with me.

Image of the Leatherback Turtle used for this article is not under copyrights of OHOIRA PRODUCTIONS ©

Woord- en beeldmateriaal zijn beschermd onder copyrights of OHOIRA PRODUCTIONS © tenzij anders vermeld.