- 12.30 PM
- February, 25, 2026
Bingkai Karya – Singer and songwriter Nowela returns with her latest single titled “MAMAE”, a piece born out of her deep love for her homeland, Papua. The song serves as both a personal statement and a celebration of Papua’s nature, culture, and resilient people.
“MAMAE” was first created during a workshop in 2023 and became the first song Nowela wrote before “Bertahan” and “Back To You”. The track stems from her sincere love for Papua and the many realities she has witnessed and experienced since childhood. “This song was created because of my love for Papua, its people, their resilience, and the many things happening there,” said Nowela.
The title “MAMAE” is taken from a common everyday expression in Papua, used to convey admiration or astonishment. The choice of this word represents the song’s core emotion and serves as an expression of falling in love with Papua. “Mamae is an expression of admiration. The word appears in the chorus and shows that my heart has truly fallen in love with Papua,” she explained.
On a personal level, the song captures memories of Nowela’s childhood growing up in Papua. The lyrics reflect her closeness to nature during her early years, such as running through forests, playing in rivers, and the natural wealth implied in the line “gold beneath our feet in Papua.” “The lyrics truly tell the story of what I experienced as a child. Papua is beautiful, not only because of its nature, but also because of its people who have sincere hearts,” Nowela shared. The musical atmosphere of “MAMAE” is wrapped in a warm tropical arrangement that creates an ambiance transporting listeners to the shores of Papua.
Although she now resides outside Papua, Nowela’s emotional connection to her homeland remains strong. “Papua is like blood flowing through my body. It is my identity and my gratitude to God,” she said. Her consistency in highlighting themes about Papua over the past five years has become both a personal and artistic statement in her work. The songwriting process for “MAMAE” was also one of the most memorable for her. Written alongside Kaleb J and Belanegara Abe, the song flowed quickly and naturally. “This is the fastest song I have ever written. In just one meeting, the lyrics were completed because it truly came from my love for Papua,” Nowela recalled.
Through “MAMAE”, Nowela hopes that more people will come to know the beauty of Papua, from its landscapes and culture to its people who love and fight for their land. The song serves as an open invitation to see Papua more closely, more broadly, and with deep respect. Nowela’s latest single, “MAMAE”, is now available on all digital streaming platforms across Indonesia.
Read more about the music here
