Harangan Sibelu

Sihaporas is the ancestral territory of the descendants of Oppung Mamontang Laut Ambarita who have inhabited this area for generations. The ancestral land of Sihaporas has become an identity that is inherent to its people, not only as a source of livelihood but also as a connection to their ancestors.

History records that the ancestral territory of Sihaporas was established through a customary agreement between Oppung Mamontang Laut Ambarita, Tuan Sipolha, the King of Siantar, and the King of Java (the Sinaga clan). This agreement was marked by a ritual offering of a buffalo that turned into the stone of Sidua-dua, which then became the boundary marker of the ancestral territory. Since then, the indigenous people of Sihaporas have managed and protected this area until the Dutch colonial period, when the ancestral land was forcibly planted with pine and has not been returned to this day.

The ancestral territory of Sihaporas has two main forests, namely Harangan Sibelu, which is a customary forest that can be utilized communally for wood, medicine, and community needs while still coordinating with the customary elders; and Harangan Sibangbang, a sacred forest designated as a place for customary rituals, a source of spring water, and a place for gathering materials for customary ceremonies and traditional musical instruments.

Harangan Sibelu is a conservation area that is protected and managed by the indigenous community because it contains important places used for indigenous rituals and serves as a source of food, shelter, and clothing. This area is a customary forest that can be managed by the entire community for the utilization of wood for building materials, medicine, management, supervision, and utilization managed communally according to customary rules. Therefore, every utilization must still coordinate with the elders/community leaders. Harangan Sibelu has an ecosystem type of hill forest and has various trees with a diameter of about 50-75 cm and an age of about 50 years.

Protection initiatives are carried out by the indigenous community with the aim of preserving the existing natural ecosystem. Some areas are managed to maintain the culture passed down from ancestors, as well as to protect against damage caused by external parties. Harangan Sibelu contains various woods that can be utilized as building materials (houses). Pine and frankincense trees are utilized for their resin as a source of the community's economy. The customary regulations that apply in Harangan Sibelu include;

• The indigenous community can manage and utilize natural resources, such as wood for the needs of building materials or food sources within the forest.
• Utilization limits for building materials, such as wood, must remain in coordination with the elders/community leaders.

Harangan Sibelu is a forest that serves as a space for the community as a source of life. For the indigenous people, the forest is a space for the community to remain connected between humans, nature, and ancestors. The utilization and protection of the forest is an effort by the community to preserve customs and culture that will continue to be passed down to future generations, both through management rules taught by ancestors from generation to generation, which are reflected in the biodiversity found in Harangan Sibelu;

Flora:

• Trees: Sialagundi, Frankincense, Hoting, Simartolu, Tutu Harus (commonly used to make tools for pounding rice (Alu)), Hau (tree) Tinggiran, Jorlang Rattan.
• Fruits: Coffee, Sirambe, Tanggulong, Forest Passion Fruit.
• Herbal medicine: Sibaubau leaves (for stomach ache).

Fauna:

• River fish: Pora-pora, Ihan Batak, Simance, Siburicak (mackerel), Sibahut (catfish), Itok (a type of snakehead fish).
• Pond fish: Limbat (a type of catfish).
• Forest animals: Wild boar, deer.

There is an important point maintained by the community within the Harangan Sibelu area, namely Mual Sibelu. Mual Sibelu is a small river that serves as a water source for the community.

At the national level, the Harangan Sibelu area is designated as an Industrial Plantation Forest (HTI). This designation often leads to conflicts as it contradicts the claims of the indigenous people who have long controlled and managed the area. Therefore, the indigenous people of Sihaporas continue to fight for their rights to their ancestral land.

Efforts for recognition have been made through various channels, including:

• A recommendation letter from the DPR in 2000 supporting the indigenous people's claims to their territory.
• A letter from the Deputy Minister to the Regent of Simalungun containing instructions to form a verification team and issue recommendations as the basis for the establishment of the Sihaporas indigenous community.
• A recommendation letter from BRWA (Indigenous Territory Registration Agency) that strengthens the legitimacy of the Sihaporas ancestral territory as part of the indigenous community management area.

The indigenous people of Sihaporas hope that official recognition of Harangan Sibelu as ancestral territory can be realized soon, so that their rights are protected, and this area remains sustainable with management based on local wisdom.