In addition to being a simple habit for Papuans, it is also a very important cultural entity. Known as "kakes", "bahan kontak" and "siri pinang", betelnut plays a role to bring people together, and it is always offered at the beginning of meetings or gatherings.
I remember when the Kalabia was first scheduled to go to Kapadiri, North Waigeo, an area with rich nikel deposits and incredibly rich forests where communities had been thriving from the benefits of working with mining and logging companies. There had been a misunderstanding, and the village was under the assumption that we were coming to basically shut down the mining/logging operations in the area… When the team and crew went to meet with the village council, they were very angry, upset, and almost ready to throw the team out! But as soon as the team brought out the siri-pinang, the atmosphere changed, tempers settled, and they community elders were able to be open to listen to the real mission and vision of the Kalabia. Although Kalabia had delayed the program at Kapadiri due to the rumours that it would not be well-received, after holding the siri-pinang discussion, when the Kalabia arrived the following month (March 2010) in the village it was to one of the warmest, most incredible traditional ceremonial welcomings that she had every received!
Surprisingly enough, these mini-palm fruits open lines of communication and often facilitate the conflict management process allowing some serious problems to be settled!
* Note: I have recently learned that the Health Canada banned the import of betel nut into Canada and excludes it from their list of acceptable Herbals used as non-medicinal ingredients in nonprescription drugs in human use due to its carcinogenic and narcotic properties. (see the Drugs Directorate Policy on Herbals used as Non-medicinal Ingredients in Nonprescription Drugs in Human Use on the HC site here)
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