FILM DOKUMENTER "DEMONG SAMIN" #RAFFLESIA_MOTIONS_FILMS #dokumenterfilm

Summary

The transcript discusses the struggle of an indigenous community in Indonesia fighting to reclaim their customary forest, which has been classified as state forest since 1983. The forest is vital to their livelihood, with 90% of the community working as farmers. They recount the Dutch colonial boundaries and the shift to national park status, which has restricted access to resources like fruit, resin, and rattan. Despite conflicts with authorities, the community seeks to restore their rights while ensuring the forest remains preserved through traditional practices and rituals.

Takeaways

• 🌳 The community refers to the forest as 'hutan adat', a significant part of their ancestral heritage.
• 📜 They reference Constitutional Court Decision No. 35/2012, which states that customary forests should be excluded from state forests.
• 👩‍🌾 Approximately 90% of the village residents are farmers, relying on the forest for farming, rice cultivation, and other agricultural activities.
• 🏞️ The forest was reclassified as state forest in 1983, causing the community to lose access to resources essential for their livelihood.
• 🚫 The community faced restrictions after the forest became a national park, with some even being jailed for trying to farm.
• ⚖️ The community is advocating for the return of their customary forest rights, as they feel the loss of access has harmed them deeply.
• 🌱 The forest provides not only farmland but also other resources like fruits, resin, rattan, and Manau, essential to the local economy and way of life.
• 🔏 The community observes customary laws governing the sustainable use of the forest, including restrictions on certain areas.
• 🛑 Specific forest areas, like mountain peaks ('tebau'), are prohibited for farming, while others, like areas with wild trees ('Imo'), are allowed.
• 🕊️ The community holds rituals to seek permission from the spirits before clearing new land, emphasizing their respect for nature.

Q & A

What is the main issue discussed in the transcript?

The main issue is the conflict between the indigenous community and the government over the ownership and management of customary forests, which have been reclassified as state forests, depriving the indigenous people of their traditional rights.

What decision from the Constitutional Court is referred to in the transcript?

The transcript refers to Constitutional Court Decision No. 35/2012, which states that customary forests must be separated from state forests, reaffirming the rights of indigenous communities over their traditional lands.

What percentage of the community in Desa Mung 1 are farmers?

According to the transcript, 90% of the community in Desa Mung 1 are farmers, engaged in various agricultural activities like farming, cultivating rice fields, and working on plantations.

What changes occurred in 1983 regarding customary forests?

In 1983, the customary forests were reclassified as state forests, limiting the indigenous community's access to the land that had traditionally been used for subsistence and various activities.

How did the reclassification of customary forests affect the indigenous community?

The reclassification led to restrictions on the community's access to the forests, resulting in conflicts with the government. The community faced legal repercussions such as arrests and property destruction when they attempted to use the land for farming.

What traditional practices does the community follow regarding forest use?

The community follows traditional laws and rituals before opening land for farming. There are specific rules on which areas can be cultivated, such as avoiding steep areas and riverbanks, and performing rituals to seek permission from forest spirits before clearing land.

What kinds of resources do the indigenous people rely on from the customary forests?

The indigenous people rely on various forest resources such as fruits, damar resin, rattan, and Manau cane. These are vital for their livelihood and not just for farming.

What is the term 'Saka' mentioned in the transcript, and what does it refer to?

'Saka' refers to areas of land that were once cleared and cultivated but later abandoned. In the local adat (customary law), it signifies different stages of land use and abandonment.

What is the significance of the rituals mentioned in relation to forest use?

The rituals are important as they reflect the indigenous community’s deep respect for nature. Before opening land, they perform rituals to ensure they are in harmony with the spirits of the forest, which helps maintain the ecological balance.

How does the community propose to balance conservation with their traditional practices?

The community suggests that they can continue their agricultural and forest-based activities without deforestation or environmental degradation. They emphasize sustainable practices such as only farming on suitable land and preserving critical ecological areas like riverbanks and steep terrains.