Imbo Gano (hutan)
Province Riau, Kab. Kampar, Kampar Kiri Hulu, Desa Aur Kuning
History of Initiative
In the past, the ancestors of the Aur Kuning community came from Pagaruyung, West Sumatra. At that time, they traveled in search of a place to establish a village as a settlement. The journey took a long time with various obstacles. The journey from Pg started by descending to Nganti (the name of the place) and then the ancestors of the Aur Kuning community climbed to the ridge of Bukit Seribu, then descended to Air Batang Kujano. Upon arriving at Air Batang Kujano, a state (village) was established by the ancestors of the Aur Kuning community.
One time, a tiger cub was caught and then burned by the community, and at that time, other tigers became ferocious, causing casualties among the community due to tiger attacks. Considering the unsafe condition of the village, they agreed to move in search of a new settlement, climbing the ridge along the Bewuik River. During the journey, they found a tiger trapped by roots, and kindly the Aur Kuning community immediately released the tiger from the roots in exchange for a promise that no tiger would disturb the descendants of the ancestors of the Aur Kuning community. The community continued their journey past Pematang Ulu Baleng until they reached Batang Santan. At Batang Santan, the community rested while cooking, and a coconut was grated there, with the leftover coconut pulp being discarded upstream of the Batang Santan River, which is where the name of the Hulu Batang Santan River originated.
After resting, the journey continued downstream along the Batang Santan River until reaching the mouth of the Santan River. Upon arriving at the river mouth, they decided to cultivate the land at the mouth of the Santan River. Two elders of the Terusan community, Datuk nan Kanciu (the name of the elder) and Datuk Pamenan, agreed to search for a suitable settlement for the Aur Kuning community, and the elders decided to trace the Bewuik River while bringing a chicken, a chisel, and a mortar
(losuang/place for pounding rice).
In the middle of the journey, the Aur Kuning community found rocky cliffs on both sides of the river, beneath which there was a waterfall. Remembering the long journey, the two elders from Aur Kuning placed the chicken on a root, set the mortar in a place, and carved the stone. After a while, the King of Koto Muaro, the son of the King of Koto Muaro, came to bathe at the edge of the Bewuik River. Shortly after, misfortune befell the king's son, who became weak because water entered his nose, and eventually, the son of the King of Koto Muaro passed away. The place where the king's son died was named Koto Muaro. The king's son was also buried there. The king initiated a request for land from the ninik mamak of the Terusan community, and kindly the ninik mamak of the Terusan community granted part of their land. After carving the stone, Datuk nan Kanciu and Datuk Pamenan threw the mortar into the base of the waterfall to prevent future generations from quarreling over land. After the mortar was dropped, the two elders and the community followed the Bewuik River until they reached the mouth. At the mouth of the Bewuik River, they established a state (village). The left side faces downstream of Rona Kandi, and the right side faces downstream of the Kasok River, where the king placed his staff into the Kasok River, and there grew a yellow bamboo. From there, the name Kenegerian Aur Kuning originated.
The Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning has a protected area that is managed specifically through generations. This area is called Imbo or Forest—which consists of Imbo of the Santan River, Imbo of the Baliang River, Imbo of the Kudoghang River, and Imbo Gano. This forest is protected by the Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning because it serves as an ecosystem protection, a source of spring water, a place to obtain livelihoods (food), and for the utilization of non-timber forest products (HHBK).
Management Practices
The management of the Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning over Imbo is taken very limitedly only for certain purposes, such as building houses and boats. The areas within Imbo cannot be turned into fields, and if one wishes to enter, they must seek permission from the ancestors present in the forest. Non-timber forest products that may be harvested include Durian, Petai, Tampui, Idan, and Berangan (chestnut). Some management regulations for the forest have been written down, but most are conveyed orally and passed down through generations. In the customary forest area, no one has ever been punished because the applicable customary regulations are flexible, except for those who encroach on the customary forest. The management of Imbo is regulated and supervised by the Indigenous Institution of Kenegerian Aur Kuning. Kenegerian Aur Kuning is led by Datuk Pucuk, who comes from the Malay Tribe (Datuk Caniago)—who controls the land and its contents in Kenegerian Aur Kuning. There are three tribes in Kenegerian Aur Kuning: (1) The Malay Tribe led by Datuk Pucuk (Datuk Caniago); (2) The Domo Tribe led by Datuk Mudo; (3) The Domo Kampai Tribe led by Datuk Mangkuto Jalelo. The management of Imbo is overseen by the Indigenous Institution of Kenegerian Aur Kuning, led by Datuk Pucuk from the Malay Tribe. The duties and functions of the customary institution are arranged as follows:
- Datuk Pucuk: The holder of authority in customary events.
- Datuk Lelo Baso: The resolver of disputes among the mamak in the village.
- Datuk Mangkuto Julelo: The resolver of disputes among the mamak in the village.
- Mamak Kampung: The executor of Datuk Pucuk's orders.
- Dubalang: The executor of the orders of the Datuks/Ninik Mamak.
Biodiversity
Currently, Imbo or the customary forest is a source of livelihood for the Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning, both from timber and non-timber forest products. The Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning preserves the Imbo/customary forest through generations and focuses on managing the forest based on community knowledge. The Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning—through local knowledge and values upheld by their ancestors—avoids excessive utilization of timber, ensuring that the Imbo/customary forest remains sustainably managed. Additionally, springs are also very beneficial for the welfare of the community today and in the future, and their ritual places remain protected. This shows that Kenegerian Aur Kuning is also closely related to their identity and spirituality as well as their dependence on the forest ecosystem.
Management conducted by Kenagarian Aur Kuning contributes to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. Some high-value flora and fauna found in Imbo include:
Flora
- Types of wood: Meranti, Medang, Pitatar, Pelangas, Petai, etc. Manau rattan, Ant nest rattan, Posu rattan, Sialang, Kulim, Timbosu, Kruing, Jelutung, Kompe, Mpuyan, Damar, Ubegh, Gaharu.
- Medicinal Plants: Sundak Langit (Medicine for Back Pain), Pasak Bumi (Medicine for Joints, Malaria, Appetite), Kombang Simangkuak (Medicine for Internal Heat), Galinggang (Medicine for Ringworm), Ampolu Fruit (Medicine for Fever), Kulim Fruit (Medicine for Poison, Kitchen Spice), Bengkek Fruit (Medicine for Stomachache), Siminyak Leaves (Medicine for Increasing Breast Milk), Kolek Banana Leaves (Medicine for Headache), Kaduduak Leaves (Medicine for Wounds).
- Fruits: Durian, Tughiang, Mangosteen, Cibodak Utan, Kidan, Tampui, Ngkanang, Salak Buai, Ambacang, Jonang
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Fauna
Legal Holders
The Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning has several legal foundations related to recognition and protection through Regional Regulation of Kampar Regency Number 12 of 1999 concerning Customary Land Rights. Furthermore, there are specific regulations governing the recognition and protection of the Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning as a legitimate legal subject through the Decree of the Regent of Kampar Number 660/DLH-IV.2/32 concerning the Formation of the Registration Team for the Determination of Indigenous Law Communities, Customary Territories, and Customary Forests in Kampar Regency, and obtaining legal recognition and protection through the Decree of the Regent of Kampar Number 660-326IV2019 concerning the Recognition of Indigenous Law Communities and Customary Land Rights of Kenegerian Aur Kuning in the Kekhalifahan Batu Sanggan Village of Aur Kuning. Until now, the Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning continues to strive for recognition and protection through the Customary Forest scheme. Currently, the Draft Plan for the management of the customary forest (RPHA) of Kenegerian Aur Kuning still needs input and finalization by incorporating customary law elements, patterns of forest product utilization, and rewriting the customary laws binding on those who damage the protected zones of the indigenous community, both customary forests and prohibited fishing areas.