Bukit Semugo

The Dayak Simpakng Indigenous Community, often referred to as Dayak Simpang, is one of the sub-ethnic groups of the Dayak people generally residing in the Simpang Hulu and Simpang Dua districts, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan. A small portion of them also exists along the border of Ketapang Regency and Sanggau Regency, specifically along the river basins of Banjur, Semandang, Baram, and Kualatn. Based on common stories found, the Dayak Simpakng ethnic group originated from Tanah Tamba Rawang in Sukadana and migrated to Tanah Simpakng/Banua Simpakng. The political changes in the Sukadana Kingdom and the spread of Islam led the Dayak Simpakng people to migrate en masse to Banua Simpakng for several reasons, such as security considerations and interest in the natural potential of Banua Simpakng. The second wave of migration was caused by coercion for the payment of blasting taxes due to the cooperation between the Tanjungpura Kingdom and the Dutch Company. The discovery of the location known as Banua Simpakng was accidental.

Regarding the history of the indigenous community in Mekar Raya Village, it is told that during the Matan kingdom era, there was a figure named Ria Niti. Ria Niti was a highly influential figure among the Dayak Simpakng at that time. Ria Niti invited his close companions to hunt in the area now called Banjur (which became the center of government for Mekar Raya Village). During the hunt, Ria Niti and his companions found large fish covered in moss from not being utilized for a long time and wild boars abundant with rattan growing on their shoulders. With the abundance of these resources, Ria Niti returned to Tamak Rawang (Sukadana) to invite other friends and family to visit Banjur and decided to settle and build a village, which has continued through his descendants to this day. The name Mekar Raya is an abbreviation of ME, which stands for Merangin; KAR, which stands for Karab; and Ya, which stands for Baya; (Merangin, Karap, and Baya are the names of hamlets in Mekar Raya Village).

Before it became a village, Mekar Raya Village was known as Kampung Banjur Karap. It began to form into a village in 1996, led by the Village Head Mr. Adoria Niti until the year 2000. From 2000 to 2005, it was led by Mr. Keike, from 2005 to 2015 by Absalon Nunai, and from mid-2015 to the present (2023) by Mr. Toni. Mekar Raya Village was previously divided into five (5) hamlets, namely Dusun Baya Keranji, which is now Desa Batu Daya, Dusun Kembra, which is now Desa Kemora, Dusun Merangin, which is now Desa Kampar Sebomban, Dusun Banjur, and Dusun Karab, which until now is still one village, namely Desa Mekar Raya.

The Dayak Simpakng community in Mekar Raya Village has areas that are managed and protected through generations due to their natural resource potential, namely: Tembawang, Sacred Forest, Water Sources Berugak and Senibung, Bukit Semugo (Tiger Habitat/Ancestral Manifestation), Sacred Rivers (Tanikng, Bejangkar, Amun Tuda), and Mount Timur (Maria Cave and Bangka Waterfall). Bukit Semugo is believed by the community to be the habitat of tigers/manifestations of ancestors, regarded as guardians that can be called upon when needed for healing and self-protection—this is also believed to enhance courage and strength in facing enemies.

There is a story about the origin of Bukit Semugo. Once, there was an influential figure named Kek Catok who lived on Bukit Semugo. One day, Kek Catok went hunting, and during his journey, he found a Tangkarawak that appeared to be very tame. However, when Kek Catok tried to catch it, the tangkarawak ran away repeatedly, and he continued to try to catch it. Eventually, Kek Catok found a wooden house and saw a girl drying rice. Kek Catok did not realize that he had been hunting for a long time, causing his family to worry and take the initiative to search for him through besensangi (asking for guidance from ancestors). Shortly after, Kek Catok returned and recounted his hunting experiences. However, a few days after his return, Kek Catok fell ill and died.

His family was given guidance in the form of a dream that Kek Catok had married the girl he encountered while hunting, believed to be a manifestation of a tiger. The family and descendants that exist to this day honor and regard this location as a sacred area, and until now, the people believe that Mount Semugo should not be inhabited, nor should it be cultivated for fields or anything else. To this day, Mount Semugo is believed to be the dwelling place of Kek Catok, referred to as the ancestor of the tiger.

The Bukit Semugo area is protected because it is believed to be a sacred area—as the dwelling place of ancestors resembling tigers. The community is prohibited from using this sacred area for farming, including shifting cultivation. The management of the areas that are managed and protected is the responsibility of the customary institution and the village authorities. The customary institution in Mekar Raya Village consists of Demung as the customary leader and Lemaku as a witness, as well as the Village Shaman who acts as the person responsible for the sacred area—each sacred area has its own key holder to guard the location. Currently, the regulations established for each managed and protected area are only passed down orally and through generations. However, there are also plans to draft Village Regulations for managing the protected areas.

The protection of the Bukit Semugo area contributes to the preservation of the forest ecosystem and the biodiversity within it. When they protect the Bukit Semugo area due to their beliefs and respect for the sacred area, it also plays a role in reducing damage to the forest ecosystem. This protection is also related to historical, cultural, spiritual, and ecological values. Additionally, there are types of flora (flowers, trees, plants) protected by custom such as Maliali Bolang, Kumpang Darah, Sirih Merah, Rarak Bosi, Dogak, Akar Libang, Romeo, and Maaliali hijau. There are also important fauna (animals, birds, etc.) that are protected, such as: Hornbill, Enggang Tajak, Enggang Kuko, Bear, Sigung, Kelasi (Red Lutung), Kijang, Kancil (Mouse Deer), Porcupine, Kesiduk (Sigung), Nek Uban (White Rat), OA (Klempiao), Clouded Leopard.

The Dayak Simpakng Indigenous Community of Mekar Raya Village does not yet have specific regulations governing the recognition and protection of rights or the protection of community-managed areas. There are legal foundations that have been established regarding the recognition and protection of Indigenous Law Communities in Ketapang Regency, namely through Ketapang Regency Regulation No. 8 of 2020 concerning the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Law Communities in Ketapang Regency and the Decree of the Ketapang Regent No. 589/DISPMPD-B/2021 concerning the Committee for Indigenous Law Communities.