Danau Lindu

The Lindu Indigenous Community has a specially managed and protected area due to its spiritual values, history, and benefits for the welfare of the surrounding community. This area has been preserved for generations by the Lindu Indigenous Community, and it is Lake Lindu. Lake Lindu is a sacred area for the Lindu Indigenous Community. According to their beliefs, this lake is the dwelling place of spiritual beings. In this lake, there is also a small island named Bola Island—where the graves of the ancestors of the Lindu Indigenous Community are located—this is also where the community performs traditional rituals. Lake Lindu is also beneficial as one of the main water sources for the surrounding areas. Water from Lake Lindu flows into the rivers around it and provides water for agricultural needs and daily life of the community.

In addition, the Lindu Indigenous Community has divisions of other customary spaces, namely: Posoua (residential area), Lida (rice field area), Bondea (active garden area with perennial plant cover), Tongo (lake area), Talinti (swamp area), Rano (pond area), Lambara (livestock grazing area), Ngurah (former agricultural land), Pampa (active garden area with intercropped plants), Pangale (young forest area), Wanangkiki (jungle forest area).

The system of customary land ownership in the Lindu area is divided into two: (1) individual ownership based on a principle believed by the Lindu Indigenous Community that the land is customary land that has been inherited and/or given by ancestors to a certain person or family to be preserved and managed, such as Suaka Lambara. (2) Communal ownership is ownership that is collectively held by the community and utilized and regulated in its use and supervision collectively, including rules and distribution of results if managed together, such as Lake Lindu, Po Ngata Totua Ngkolu, Suaka Todea, Suaka Wiata. However, the management regulations have not yet been organized within customary institutions as it is still managed by customary institutions in each village.

Below is the structure of the customary institution (Totua Nuada):

1. Jogugu serves as Tutua Ngata or the decision-maker.
2. Galara serves as the decision-maker.
3. Pabisara serves as the lawyer.
4. Kapita serves as the mediator of the case decision.
5. Suro serves as the envoy, messenger, and communication link for the community involved in the case.

There are also traditional rituals performed by the Lindu Indigenous Community related to the management of protected areas, namely: Vunca Customary Ritual or customary ceremony/thanksgiving for the harvest. Then, there are management rules called Ombo, which are the decisions made by the customary institution together with the local community. The decision on the management rules of the protected area is called Ombo Tomate (Paria), which is a prohibition on fishing in Lake Lindu when the Totua Ngata/chief of customs passes away. If this prohibition is violated, the offender must pay a customary sanction/Waya at the place. The prohibition on fishing activities in the lake lasts for one month. In addition, there are also rituals performed by the Lindu Indigenous Community, such as: Popatoua/Mopatou (annual thanksgiving for children who reach one year of age). Currently, these regulations do not have a written form and are only orally passed down through generations.

The management practices carried out by the Lindu Indigenous Community in this area contribute significantly in various aspects. Lake Lindu provides economic impact for the community as its existence can fulfill daily living needs. Lake Lindu is known to have various types of freshwater fish such as Mujair, Mas, Lele, Gabus, and others. In addition, Lake Lindu also serves as a life support because its water flows into the surrounding areas. There is a prohibition on fishing in Lake Lindu during mourning days that lasts for one month to honor and empathize with the mourning conditions experienced by other communities. The management practices of this area also contribute to social and cultural aspects. Interaction with other indigenous communities has increased. Currently, there is the Lake Lindu Festival held annually. This festival is initiated by the Sigi Regency Government in collaboration with external parties as an ecological restoration movement. This is also done because the Lindu area is located within the conservation area of Lore Lindu National Park.

Regent of Sigi's Decision Number 189-595 of 2017 regarding the Recognition and Protection of Customary Law Communities and Customary Territories of To Lindu in Sigi Regency

Other sources:

• Lake Lindu Festival 2023 - Ethno-Ecology Tourism Event