[FULL] MERDEKA ALA POLAHI | JEJAK PETUALANG (27/11/24)

Summary

This video takes viewers on an adventurous journey into the remote life of the Polahi tribe in Gorontalo, Indonesia. The host navigates challenging terrain and obstacles to reach their settlement, where the tribe's unique traditions and lifestyle are revealed. The tribe, isolated from the outside world, practices self-sustenance through hunting, farming, and the use of natural resources. The video highlights their traditional body care practices using natural plants, their food sources, and the close-knit nature of their community. It offers a deep dive into their way of life, untouched by modern influences.

Takeaways

• 😀 The journey to reach the isolated Polahi tribe in the remote forests of Gorontalo was challenging, involving a seven-hour trek through tough and dangerous terrain.
• 😀 The Polahi people have maintained their traditional lifestyle, completely separated from the outside world, and have built their own civilization.
• 😀 Despite modern tools, the Polahi tribe still relies heavily on nature for survival, including plants like turmeric and ginger for body care and medicinal purposes.
• 😀 The Polahi tribe's houses are built on stilts, providing protection from wild animals and flooding during the rainy season.
• 😀 Communication with the Polahi tribe was difficult due to the language barrier, with only one person, Pak Kiki, fluent in Indonesian to assist as a translator.
• 😀 Women in the tribe use traditional plants like turmeric leaves and ginger leaves for body care, believing in their antibacterial and healing properties.
• 😀 The tribe practices sustainable farming methods, including planting short-cycle crops like corn and rice, ensuring food security and minimal environmental impact.
• 😀 The Polahi tribe’s way of life is rooted in simplicity, with most of their food sourced from the forest, including hunting, foraging for mushrooms, and growing crops.
• 😀 The tribe still hunts and gathers food, but they also cultivate crops like cassava, which grows well in their fertile land, and they harvest it for large, nutritious meals.
• 😀 The Polahi people’s isolation from the outside world has led them to preserve their customs and beliefs, with a focus on simplicity, nature, and community over material wealth.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the speaker's journey in this transcript?

The speaker's journey focuses on exploring the isolated Polahi tribe in the forests of Gorontalo, Indonesia. The speaker experiences the tribe's traditional lifestyle, customs, and relationship with nature, as well as the physical challenges of reaching their settlement.

What obstacles did the speaker face on the way to the Polahi settlement?

The speaker faced difficult terrain, fallen trees blocking the road, heavy rain, and steep, muddy paths. The journey required multiple stops and even walking at times, despite being helped by motorbikes in some parts.

How do the Polahi people use plants for personal care?

The Polahi people use turmeric and ginger leaves, known for their antibacterial properties, as part of their body care routine. These plants are used to clean and refresh the body, helping with skin issues like acne, irritation, and promoting overall hygiene.

What role does language play in communication with the Polahi tribe?

Language is a significant barrier for the speaker, as most of the Polahi people speak the Gorontalo dialect and only one person, Pak Kiki, can speak Indonesian. A translator helps the speaker communicate with the tribe.

What is the traditional housing style of the Polahi tribe?

The Polahi tribe builds houses on stilts (known as 'rumah panggung'). This style protects against wild animals and avoids water damage during the rainy season.

What is the significance of the Polahi tribe's isolation?

The Polahi tribe's isolation stems from their historical flight from Dutch colonial rule. They have maintained their traditions and self-sufficiency by living disconnected from the outside world, even continuing to believe that Indonesia is still under Dutch colonization.

How do the Polahi people sustain themselves?

The Polahi people rely on a combination of hunting, gathering, and farming. They grow crops like cassava, corn, and rice, hunt animals, and gather resources from the forest. They also harvest edible mushrooms and use natural materials for cooking.

What is the Polahi tribe's practice of 'nugal' and how does it relate to their agriculture?

'Nugal' is a traditional farming technique where the Polahi people plant seeds in slanted or hilly land by creating small holes in the soil using a sharp stick. This technique helps ensure the seeds do not wash away during the rainy season.

What types of food do the Polahi people consume?

The Polahi tribe consumes a variety of locally grown foods, such as cassava, corn, and rice. They also gather wild plants like the 'umbut rotan' (a type of rattan shoot) and mushrooms. These foods are often cooked with minimal seasoning.

How do the Polahi people use their knowledge of the forest for survival?

The Polahi people have a deep knowledge of the forest and its resources. They use plants for medicinal purposes, food, and even construction materials. Their survival is based on their understanding of the ecosystem and their ability to live sustainably with nature.