Tradisi Sasi: Melindungi Sumber Daya Alam dengan Kepercayaan Leluhur

Nat Geo Indonesia

18 Jun 202306:52

Summary

TLDRThe transcript discusses the traditional conservation practices of the Marori tribe in South Papua, particularly the Sasi tradition, which restricts resource extraction from specific areas for a set period. This practice allows ecosystems to recover and protects biodiversity. The tribe observes a 1000-day prohibition in swamps and forests after the death of a relative, culminating in a celebration to lift the ban. The Marori people’s wisdom aligns with modern conservation efforts, showcasing a deep respect for nature and sustainable living practices.

Takeaways

🌍 The old traditions of the Sasi are disappearing, and while efforts are being made to preserve them, they are still incomplete.
🌳 The Marorin tribe follows their ancestors' wisdom in conserving nature, such as restricting resource extraction in certain areas for periods of time.
🐾 The tribe's traditions give ecosystems a chance to recover, protecting biodiversity from over-exploitation due to hunting and forest product usage.
🦘 Despite changes, kangaroos can still be found in the region thanks to sustainable practices.
🏞️ The Marorin tribe lives in Wasur village, located in the Merauke district of South Papua province.
🕊️ When a tribe member passes away, the community observes a 40-day abstinence from consuming certain animals or crops, followed by a 1000-day restriction in specific forest or swamp areas.
🌲 The tribe places markers, such as wooden sticks or string bracelets, in areas where resources cannot be extracted, ensuring conservation during agreed periods.
🛑 The Sago hamlet is a key conservation area where no trees are cut or animals disturbed during the protected period.
💡 The tribe's traditional conservation practices align well with modern conservation theories, providing a natural method of protecting biodiversity.
🕯️ Ceremonies like the Oggy's Garo celebration mark the end of a 1000-day prohibition, celebrating the memory of the deceased while lifting the resource restrictions.

Q & A

What is the Marorin tribe’s tradition for conserving nature?
-The Marorin tribe has a tradition where, for a certain period of time, they prohibit entering certain areas, such as forests and water bodies, to extract resources. This practice helps the ecosystem recover and protects biodiversity from over-exploitation.
How do the Marorin people help the ecosystem recover?
-The Marorin people help the ecosystem recover by prohibiting hunting and resource extraction in certain areas for a set period, giving nature time to restore itself.
What is the significance of the 1000-day prohibition after someone dies in the Marorin tribe?
-After someone dies in the Marorin tribe, they impose a 1000-day prohibition on taking resources from swamps and forests where the deceased hunted. This act gives nature a chance to recover and is part of their tradition of conservation.
What happens during the Oggy's Garo celebration?
-The Oggy's Garo celebration marks the end of the 1000-day prohibition period. It is a significant ceremony where the community gathers, celebrates for three nights, and lifts the ban on resource extraction.
What does placing a string bracelet in the sago hamlet represent?
-Placing a string bracelet, called 'urea' in the Marori language, in the sago hamlet signifies the start of a conservation period where no resources can be taken from that area for an agreed time, such as two or three years.
How does the Marorin tradition align with modern conservation theories?
-The Marorin tradition aligns well with modern conservation theories because their practices, such as prohibiting resource extraction in specific areas for ecosystem recovery, mirror principles of environmental protection and sustainability.
What is the moral significance behind the Marorin tribe’s conservation efforts?
-The Marorin tribe’s conservation efforts have a moral foundation, as they give nature the opportunity to recover, showing respect for the environment and ensuring that future generations can benefit from its richness.
How long do the Marorin people abstain from eating certain foods after a relative dies?
-The Marorin people abstain from eating animal-based foods and garden products related to the deceased for 40 days following their death, as part of their mourning and conservation tradition.
Why do the Marorin people avoid hunting in certain areas after a relative dies?
-The Marorin people avoid hunting in areas where their deceased relative used to hunt as a form of respect and to allow nature to recover from human activity during the mourning period.
What is the significance of the Sasi sign placed in the sago hamlet?
-The Sasi sign, placed in the sago hamlet, acts as a marker that prohibits resource extraction from that area for a designated period, promoting conservation and the recovery of local flora and fauna.

Outlines

00:00

🌿 Tradition of the Marori Tribe and Conservation Practices

This paragraph discusses the Marori tribe's traditional conservation practices, specifically the Sasi tradition, which prohibits resource extraction from certain areas to allow the ecosystem to recover. This ban applies to water and forest areas, helping protect biodiversity from over-exploitation. It highlights how the tribe abstains from hunting or utilizing forest products to give nature a chance to heal. The Marori people of Wasur village in South Papua practice a ceremonial ban for 40 days and sometimes up to 1000 days when a relative dies, refraining from hunting in areas frequented by the deceased. The tradition culminates in a celebration marking the end of the ban, which also symbolizes the release of the deceased to immortality. This conservation effort is further emphasized by placing a rope marker (called 'urea' in the Morori language) in sago hamlets, ensuring no resources are taken from the area for an agreed period, typically two or three years.

05:01

🛡️ Harmony Between Local Wisdom and Modern Conservation

The second paragraph reflects on the compatibility of Marori tribal customs with modern conservation theories. It describes how the tribe’s traditional prohibitions (such as the Sasi) align with contemporary ideas of resource protection. The practice ensures that areas previously used for hunting by deceased relatives are respected and left untouched for a specified period. These customs serve as a natural way to conserve wildlife and forest resources until the community decides to lift the ban. The wisdom in their conservation approach mirrors that of scientific principles, demonstrating their deep understanding of environmental stewardship.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Sasi

Sasi is a traditional practice that involves temporarily prohibiting the use of natural resources in certain areas. In the video, it is applied in water and forest regions, allowing ecosystems to recover and preventing over-exploitation. This conservation method reflects the Marorin tribe's wisdom in preserving biodiversity.

💡Marorin tribe

The Marorin tribe is an indigenous group living in the Wasur village of South Papua. They follow traditional customs, particularly regarding conservation. The tribe's wisdom is evident in their practice of Sasi, where they abstain from resource extraction in certain areas to allow nature to regenerate.

💡Ecosystem recovery

This refers to the process by which natural environments regain balance after periods of exploitation. The Marorin tribe’s traditions, such as prohibiting hunting or resource extraction, allow time for ecosystems to heal. The concept is central to their environmental practices and is highlighted in their Sasi ceremonies.

💡Biodiversity

Biodiversity refers to the variety of plant and animal life in an area. The Marorin tribe's conservation efforts, like Sasi, help preserve biodiversity by giving species time to repopulate and ecosystems time to regenerate, preventing over-hunting and deforestation.

💡Oggy's Garo celebration

The Oggy's Garo celebration is a significant ritual marking the end of a 1000-day prohibition on resource extraction. The ceremony lifts the ban and is a way to celebrate the dead, symbolizing their release into immortality. This event demonstrates the intersection of cultural traditions and environmental conservation.

💡Conservation

Conservation is the act of preserving and protecting natural resources. The Marorin tribe practices conservation through their rituals, like the Sasi tradition and the planting of wooden markers. These actions prevent overuse of natural resources, aligning with modern conservation principles.

💡Nisa

Nisa is a ceremonial process that lifts the 1000-day prohibition on taking resources. It serves as the symbolic end of the mourning period for the deceased and reopens the forest and swamps for use. The Nisa ceremony shows respect for nature by giving it time to regenerate before resuming resource extraction.

💡Wasur National Park

Wasur National Park is a significant area in Papua where the Marorin tribe resides and practices their conservation traditions. The park is home to diverse wildlife, and the tribe’s customs, like Sasi, help protect the park’s ecosystem, aligning with modern environmental protection methods.

💡Urea

Urea, in this context, refers to a symbolic string bracelet placed in the sago hamlet to mark the beginning of a conservation period. It is used in the Sasi ritual to signal a time when no resources can be extracted from the area. This practice is central to maintaining the health of the forest and its species.

💡Sago hamlet

The Sago hamlet is a designated area within the Marorin tribe's territory where the Sasi prohibition is enforced. During this period, no trees are cut down, and no animals are hunted, ensuring the ecosystem is undisturbed. The hamlet serves as a vital symbol in the tribe’s conservation efforts.

Highlights

The Marori tribe follows the wisdom of their ancestors in preserving nature by prohibiting citizens from entering certain areas to extract resources for a period.

The prohibition applies to both water and forest areas, giving ecosystems the opportunity to recover and protecting biodiversity from over-exploitation.

The Marori tribe abstains from eating animal-based menus or garden products related to the deceased for 40 days during the mourning period.

The tribe holds a 1,000-day prohibition on resource extraction from areas where the deceased hunted, allowing nature to rejuvenate.

The prohibition ceremony starts with the planting of a symbolic wooden stick as a marker.

The climax of the tradition is the Oggy's Garo celebration, which marks the lifting of the 1,000-day prohibition through a ceremonial event.

Clans from all over Merauke celebrate the lifting of the ban by partying for three nights in Laser village.

The ceremony is not only a farewell to the deceased but also serves as a symbol of environmental conservation.

The Marori language has a specific term for the conservation practice, highlighting the deep connection between culture and nature.

A bracelet made of string is placed in the sago hamlet during the 40-day Sasi period to signify the prohibition on resource extraction.

During this period, no trees can be cut down and no animals can be hunted in the designated areas.

The local wisdom of Wasur National Park residents aligns with modern conservation theories, showing an inherent understanding of environmental protection.

The Marori tribe's practices are evidence of long-standing conservation methods that focus on sustainable resource management.

By prohibiting hunting and resource extraction in areas where a relative has hunted, the Marori people ensure the preservation of those environments.

The local tradition offers a unique blend of cultural reverence for the deceased and ecological mindfulness, ensuring both respect and protection of the land.