Gentung Buyut Kilong

The history of Kampong Maridan has two different versions of the story. In the first version, Maridan comes from the name of a prominent person, namely Jabat, with evidence in the form of a tomb. Jabat is a figure from the Paser Tribe who is believed to have opened Kampong Maridan during the Dutch colonial era. Initially, Kampong Maridan was the customary territory of the Balik Tribe, but now the Balik Tribe no longer resides in Kampong Maridan. In the second version, it is explained that the name Maridan is taken from a large branch of wood that is upside down in a river. Maridan comes from a combination of the words 'Mori' which means haunted and understood to be not disturbed; and 'Dan' which means branch of wood. Over time, the combination of the words Moridan changed to Maridan due to the mixing of languages and dialects. The Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan have a site or area that is protected, the site is called Gentung Buyut Kilong.

Gentung Buyut Kilong is a spring area that is believed to never dry up during long droughts, so the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan believe that Gentung Buyut Kilong is a sacred spring, surrounded by various trees that are guarded and maintained by the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan as it is the only source of spring water. Buyut Kilong was the first person to open fields around the head of the Selong Botuk River. In the past, before becoming a spring, Gentung Buyut Kilong was the head of the Selong Botuk River, since the entry of the PT. ITCI company into Maridan, the Selong River was dammed so that the head of the river that should flow following the river's flow became contained and turned into a lake or spring. Around Gentung Buyut Kilong is the Alas Bekal expanse, which is a semi-old forest that contains hard trees and fruit trees.

The initiative to protect this area has existed and is deeply rooted in the minds of the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan. However, the traditional leaders mostly do not yet understand the regulations regarding the protection of protected areas or their customary territories. Therefore, there are external parties that assist in the recognition and protection of the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan, such as AMAN (Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago), PEREMPUAN AMAN, and BRWA (Agency for the Registration of Customary Territories) in 2020 to conduct mapping of customary territories and gather social data of the indigenous community.

The area of Gentung Buyut Kilong can be utilized by all the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan and other tribes living in Maridan are also allowed to utilize it. There are no prohibitions on utilizing the resources available in the Gentung Buyut Kilong area—anyone can take them as long as it is not excessive and with the permission of the tuo kampong (traditional head). This rule is passed down orally and from generation to generation. The following are the rules that apply in the Gentung Buyut Kilong area:

• 2. Do not cut down or damage trees.
  4. Do not open gardens or fields.
  6. Do not swim in the lake.

These rules are managed and supervised by a traditional institution called Penggugu Adat Kampong Maridan, which consists of:

1. Tuo Kampong, who plays a role in running traditional governance, leading discussions (bapekat), regulating the life system of the indigenous community related to land, fields, and forests, and deciding on customary sanctions.
2. Saronoian, who assists Tuo Kampung in managing the village and invites local indigenous people to attend bapekat and work together.
3. Mulung, who plays a role in reciting mantras and performing traditional healing through customary rituals.
4. Penggading, who prepares all ritual equipment and ensures that the customary rituals run smoothly.

In addition, the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan have a spatial division according to their customs, namely:

1. Alas, is an area of land that is protected to take advantage of its garden reserves. There are various land covers in this area, namely brackish, teak, and pine. Alas is divided into several categories, namely:

   • Alas Tuo: An area that has never been cultivated for fields. Alas Tuo is a place to search for rattan, a hunting ground, to gather traditional medicinal materials, and to gather needs for building houses. Alas Tuo is interpreted as a forest that is still dense.
   • Alas Bengkal: A semi-old forest that contains fruit trees and meranti wood. Alas Bengkal will be used again later.
   • Alas Mori: A forest that is guarded and has never been managed by the indigenous community because it is considered haunted.
   • Alas Bakau: Mangrove Forest.

2. Lati Burok, is a bush left from rice fields for 3-4 years.
3. Umo, is an area of garden/field land for planting mountain rice and vegetables.
4. Kebon, is an area of land used for planting rubber and palm.
5. Gentung, is an area of land that functions as a source of spring water with collective rights subjects.
6. Kampung, is a residential area in the Kampong Maridan region.

The Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan protect the area of Gentung Buyut Kilong because it is considered an important area as the only source of spring water. In addition, this area has a history closely related to a respected traditional figure. The management and protection of Gentung Buyut Kilong contribute to the preservation of the lake ecosystem. Furthermore, it also contributes to the protection of high-value biodiversity as well as the flora and fauna present in it such as: Sega Rattan, Manau Rattan, Lio Rattan, Dalun Rattan, Dana Rattan, Tu Rattan, Tenduan Rattan, Puti (Bangeris), Teliyon (Ulin), Putang (Meranti), Jirit, Juji, Arau, Medang, Lutung, Tempudau, Damar, Tepalung, Kroeng; Fruit trees (Tudak, Layung, Coffee, Lembonu); and Medicinal plants (Melepek, Pasak Bumi, Kelekakait, Koyur). Various types of fauna include:

• 2. Biwang (Bear) (protected)
  4. Pelanduk (Mouse Deer)
  6. Telawos (Deer)
  8. Kelawot (uWA-uWA) (protected)
  10. Bekarak (Proboscis Monkey) protected
  12. Kode mea (Lutung) protected
  14. Kode (Monkey)
  16. Buis (Gray Lutung) protected
  18. Boruk (Macaque)
  20. Kukang protected
  22. Uker (Book Monkey) protected
  24. Kung (Melaya Kumbung) protected
  26. Besikak (Squirrel)
  28. Ayom (Teringeling) protected
  30. Tetung (Landang)
  32. Munin (Civet)
  34. Biyontung (Singung)
  36. Dongon (Otter)
  38. Tugok (Turtle)
  40. Delawi (Bulus)

The Indigenous People in Penajam Paser Utara Regency have only a legal basis for recognition and protection at the provincial level, namely East Kalimantan Regional Regulation Number 1 of 2015 concerning Guidelines for Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Law Communities in East Kalimantan Province. Until now, there has been no legal subject regulating the recognition and protection of Indigenous People in Penajam Paser Utara Regency, especially the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan. The Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan are one of the indigenous communities affected by the eviction for the development of the Nusantara Capital located in Sepaku District.