Karengkang Adat/Hutan Hilungan

The origins of the Indigenous Community of Dusun Malang Leu Muara Pari Sungai Parau began with the arrival of Temenggung Sulur and his wife who built a Betang House on the banks of the Lahei River. Specifically in the year 1810, in Teluk Sulur or Leok Siwo—which is now located upstream of the village of Rahaden, in that area fruit trees were planted. Temenggung Sulur's wife gave birth to five children: two boys and three girls, namely: NTAT, LINTAI, and KAAK (female) & NAFF and MARAHANANG (male). The five children of Temenggung Sulur worked together to clear land or farm in the area of Teluk Sulur/Teluk Siwo upstream of the Lahei River entering the Parau River, a tributary of the Lahei River. Subsequently, the descendants of Temenggung Sulur grew up and started families. Each of Temenggung Sulur's children farmed specifically in the area of the Parau River, starting from the mouth of the Parau River, the tributaries of the Parau River, both left and right of the Parau River up to the upstream of the river. In 1935, the family of Temenggung Sulur lived in groups forming a small village which in the local language is called Tompong (Pedukuhan). (source: brwa.or.id).

The Indigenous Community of Temenggung Sulur Hungei Parau has an area that is protected and managed specifically according to the applicable customary rules. This area has been protected since ancient times through generations. This area is important for the Indigenous Community of Temenggung Sulur Hungei Parau because it has a history and a close connection with their ancestors. The area is known as Kerengkang Adat/ Hutan Hilungan. Kerengkang Adat/ Hutan Hilungan is one of the places that has a spring located in the Parau River. This area is also considered a sacred place. According to the community's beliefs, Kerengkang Adat/Hutan Hilungan is the dwelling place of spirits, which is related to the indigenous tradition of offering offerings to the spirits as a form of gratitude for protecting the spring of the Parau River. This ritual is still performed by the community to this day—people place and offer offerings to the spirits around Kerenkang Adat. In addition, Kerenkang Adat/Hutan Hilungan is used as a place for vows or requests—asking or pleading for something, and also for the first harvest offering before the harvest is consumed by the family.

Moreover, the Indigenous Community of Temenggung Sulur Hungei Parau has divisions of other customary spaces, namely: Kerengkang Puga (Virgin Forest); Kerengkang Sanagar Uneng Ume (Reserve Forest for Farming); Jeung Uro Pulau Karaba (Former fields that have been planted with rubber); Sipung Munan (Fruit gardens); Katuan Baling (Shrubland over 30 years old); Leu Muara Pari Hila (Settlement across the village).

Kerengkang Adat can be accessed by the community because there are water sources that can be utilized. However, at this time, there are no specific regulations/patterns of utilization created to protect these three areas. The main rules that apply in the area are 1) no destruction is allowed; 2) opening new fields in any way is prohibited without permission from the head of tompong/customary head. The Indigenous Community of Temenggung Sulur Hungei strictly adheres to the applicable rules—because they also believe in ancestral curses if they violate them. Furthermore, the customary institution that governs consists of the customary head/head of tompong as the heir of Temenggung Sulur, the Head Bantai as the executor of the customary head's orders, Penyirak as the executor from the Head Bantai to disseminate information to the community, and Basir as the executor in customary ritual activities.

The Indigenous Community of Temenggung Sulur Hungei Parau has contributed to the preservation and biodiversity. They have made efforts to protect water sources and natural resources for future generations or their descendants. The Indigenous Community of Temenggung Sulur Hungei Parau contributes to the protection of flora and fauna. The following flora and fauna are found in the protected area: Tingang Birds, Moek Birds, Bimiliang Birds, Tiong Birds, Owls, Tinjau Birds, Doyo Birds, Apou Birds, Bumut Birds, Mintit Birds, Klawet, Keu/Orang Hutan, Porcupine/Tetung, Badok/Rhino, Bekok Daun, Okang, Kalawot Jomo, Lisio, Kuli/Macan Dahan, Biang/Bear, Buah/Crocodile, Blambayau/Karuang, Kororondeng, Biyayang Taun, Kaak/Crow, Banteng, Samalatuk Birds, Putang, Karewaw, Using. Additionally, there are also valuable woods among them: Ulin/Tidien, pungi/Pusi, Isin, Jangaan Plawan, Plepek, Bulau watu, Gading, Matamias, Lelemu, Mahuy, Bmeng, Kranji, Mlalin, Manggambir, Mangaris, Kakuluk, Sakalet/Papaning.

Furthermore, this management practice also contributes to the preservation of cultural and spiritual sites—the Indigenous Community of Temenggung Sulur Hungei Parau respects things they believe in even if they are not visible. The community can optimally utilize the results, the water sources will remain protected, and the area can serve as a medium for learning for both future generations and outsiders who wish to learn about the traditions and local wisdom of the Leu Karamuan Indigenous Community.

The Indigenous Community of Temenggung Sulur Hungei Parau does not yet have a legal basis regulating the recognition and protection of their rights. Until now, there is only a legal basis that contains the Establishment of the Indigenous Law Community Committee in Barito Utara Regency.