Imbo Sungai Santan (Hutan)

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 began 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 reaching 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, after which other tigers became ferocious, resulting in casualties from the community being eaten by tigers. Considering the unsafe condition of the village, they agreed to move in search of a new settlement, so they climbed 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 thrown upstream of the Batang Santan River, which is where the name of the Hulu Batang Santan River originated.

After resting, the journey continued by following the downstream of the Batang Santan River to the mouth of the Santan River. Upon reaching the river mouth, they decided to cultivate the land at the mouth of the Santan River. Thus, two elders of the Terusan community, Datuk nan Kanciu (the name of the elder) and Datuk Pamenan, sought a suitable place for the Aur Kuning community to settle, and a decision was made by the elders to explore the Bewuik River and bring a chicken, a chisel, and a mortar (losuang/a place for pounding rice).

In the middle of the journey, the Aur Kuning community found rocks on both the left and right sides of the river, and beneath those rocks 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, King Koto Muaro, the son of King Koto Muaro, came to bathe at the edge of the Bewuik River. Soon after, misfortune befell the king's son, who became weak because water entered his nose, and eventually, the son of King Koto Muaro passed away. Thus, the place where the king's son died was named Koto Muaro. The king's son was also buried there. The king took the initiative to ask for land from the ninik mamak of the Terusan community, and kindly the ninik mamak of the Terusan community gave part of their land. After carving the stone, Datuk nan Kanciu and Datuk Pamenan threw the mortar into the base of the waterfall to ensure that no descendants would quarrel over the land in the future. 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). On the left facing downstream is Rona Kandi, and on the right facing downstream is the Kasok River, where the king sent 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 specifically managed through generations. This area is 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 water protection, a place to obtain livelihoods (food), and the utilization of non-timber forest products (HHBK).

The management of the Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning over the Imbo is taken on a limited basis only for certain purposes, such as building houses and boats. The area within the Imbo cannot be turned into fields, and if someone wants to enter, they must ask for permission from the ancestors in the forest. Non-timber forest products that may be taken 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 the Imbo is regulated and supervised by the Customary Institution of Kenegerian Aur Kuning. Kenegerian Aur Kuning is led by Datuk Pucuk from the Malay Tribe (Datuk Caniago)—who controls the land and its contents within 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 duties and functions of the customary institutions are regulated as follows:

1) Datuk Pucuk functions as the authority holder in a customary event in the state (kampuang).

2) Datuk Lelo Baso functions as the resolver of disputes between mamak within the state (kampuang).

3) Datuk Mangkuto Julelo functions as the resolver of disputes between mamak within the state (kampung).

4) Mamak Kampung functions to carry out orders from Datuk Pucuk.

5) Dubalang functions to carry out orders from the Datuks/Ninik Mamak.

Currently, Imbo or customary forest serves as an economic source 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—ensures that they do not exploit timber resources excessively, thus maintaining the natural resources of the Imbo/customary forest sustainably. Additionally, the springs are also very beneficial for the welfare of the community in the present and future, and their ritual places remain protected. This shows that Kenegerian Aur Kuning has a close connection with their identity and spirituality as well as their dependence on the forest ecosystem.

The management carried out by Kenegerian Aur Kuning contributes to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. There are high-value flora and fauna within the Imbo/customary forest such as:

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.
• Types of 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
• Fauna:
• Tiger, Bear, Deer, Sambar Deer, Macaque, Mouse Deer, Tapir, Forest Goat, Monkey, Siamang, Ungko, Umu, Umbang Mato, Kuao, Wild Boar, Punai, Green Magpie, Hornbill, Kudum, Ninja Hummingbird, Kingfisher, Boba, Sipoca, Green Vaper, King Cobra, Cobra, Python, Tiwuang Snake, Lidi Snake, Mpuaghi Snake, Water Snake, Mugho Snake, Ntigha, Jonjang Squirrel, Ngkolu Squirrel, Slow Loris, Kincuang Squirrel, Pangolin, Porcupine, Bingkaghuang

The Indigenous Community of Kenegerian Aur Kuning has several legal bases 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 Establishment of the Registration Team for the Determination of Customary 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 Customary Law Communities and Customary Land Rights of Kenegerian Aur Kuning of the Batu Sanggan Caliphate in Aur Kuning Village. 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 principles, patterns of forest product utilization, and rewriting the customary laws that bind those who damage the protected zones of the indigenous community, both customary forests and prohibited fishing areas.