Lubuk Larangan Desa

The Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community is an indigenous community currently residing in two administrative areas, Bukit Betung Village and South Tanjung Belit Village. Ujung Bukit is a community located on the banks of the Subayang River. The banks of the Subayang River were chosen as a place to settle because they believe that the Subayang River is a source of life, an economic source, and facilitates their mobility. Regarding the third reason, in the past, the transportation route used by the indigenous community was only through the river route. The early settlement of the Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community was at the foot of Bukit Musuh, with Bukit Sikai slightly above it. There is a sacred narrative that states that the naming of Ujung Bukit is related to the arrival of a Sheikh named Sheikh Burhanudin around the 7th century. The Sheikh is believed to have been exploring the area to convert the people he encountered to Islam. Then, when he arrived in the area of Ujung Bukit, which was then called Kampung Lama, the Sheikh called for the teachings of Islam to the Ujung Bukit area, but the community rejected these teachings and demanded the Sheikh to show the “power” of God. Seeing this rejection, Sheikh Burhanudin then left the old village area.

After some time after Sheikh Burhanudin left, a disaster occurred. The disaster was in the form of the end of Bukit Sikai breaking off, causing that part of the hill to roll down as if crushing Kampung Lama. Then, the Sheikh was asked to address the disaster so that it would not destroy the settlement. Long story short, Sheikh Burhanudin succeeded in stopping the movement of the hill and it became a hill. This hill was then named Bukit Musuh. Under Bukit Musuh was the old village that became the settlement of the community at that time. This is also the basis for the naming of “Ujung Bukit.” Then, at one point, the Ujung Bukit Community felt that life in the old village was no longer conducive. This was related to the phenomenon of “one born two die, two born four die” for some time. This event then led them to negotiate about relocating the village. The negotiations resulted in the decision that they would move to the mouth of the Subayang River. There are several reasons why the mouth of the Subayang River was chosen, including: (1) Not far from Pulo Lama/Kampung Lama; (2) The land is flat and wide; (3) Close to a water source.

With the relocation of the community to the Mouth of the Subayang River, the place they inhabited was then named Pulo Pencong. The name Pencong is derived from a fruit plant that produces abundant fruit. Until now, the name Pulo Pencong is still used by the community to refer to the village area. Currently, Pulo Pencong is part of the administrative area of South Tanjung Belit Village. Meanwhile, the Ujung Bukit community's way of life used to involve rice farming. Over time, the community became acquainted with rubber commodities that were suitable for cultivation in their area. After that, some of them decided to switch to rubber farming. Then, about 18 years ago, the community became acquainted with oil palm cultivation. The economic prospects of oil palm were seen as more profitable compared to rubber commodities. Therefore, many of them switched from private rubber plantations to oil palm plantations. As a result, private plantations that currently dominate the Ujung Bukit area are mostly planted with oil palm.

The Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community has a distinctive area management system, namely: Lubuk Larangan. Lubuk Larangan is a tradition passed down through generations that is practiced along the Subayang River in Rimbang Baling – Kampar Kiri Hulu, Riau. Lubuk Larangan consists of two words: lubuak and larangan. The word lubuak comes from the community's term for a deep part of the river (basin) that is generally a breeding ground for fish. Meanwhile, larangan means actions that are not permitted. Thus, lubuk larangan is a part of the river that is deep and becomes a breeding ground for fish, where there are rules for the utilization of natural resources in the form of restrictions and prohibitions on fishing for a certain period, based on mutual agreement among the community.

Lubuk Larangan has existed since the 1980s. However, it is not known exactly what events or incidents led to the emergence of the Lubuk Larangan initiative. The reason for the development of the Lubuk Larangan tradition by the community along the Subayang River is due to its significant benefits and has been maintained to this day. Generally, one kenegerian (or village) has 1 to 2 lubuk larangan. Usually, it consists of a ninik mamak lubuk larangan and a youth lubuk larangan. Specifically for the Ujung Bukit Kenegerian, there are ninik mamak lubuk larangan and village lubuk larangan. For the boundaries of the lubuk larangan area, the community marks it with a rope stretched across the river.

The location of the lubuk larangan is chosen based on an agreement through a deliberation involving all parties, namely ninik mamak, village officials, and the Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community. The location can change according to needs and conditions as well as mutual agreement. The criteria for the area selected to be designated as lubuk larangan include:

1. A river basin with a depth of about 4-5 meters during the rainy season. This area is chosen so that during the dry season, fish can still live and breed. It also provides a space for fish to be produced in greater numbers.
2. The area around the basin is shallow.
3. Close to the residents' settlements, making it easier for the community to supervise.

Lubuk larangan is managed collectively. Supervision and monitoring are also carried out by the entire community. The establishment of rules and penalties is done by ninik mamak based on the consensus of all parties (including the village). Violations of fishing in the lubuk larangan are met with curses (such as a bloated stomach and illnesses that will not heal). This happens because at the beginning of the formation of the lubuk larangan, the community has sworn (believed to be witnessed by ancestors) together not to take and always to protect the area of the lubuk larangan, followed by the recitation of prayers (Surat Yasin). This sanction is not written but is binding and strictly adhered to by the entire community. It is believed that such punishment is more effective than fines.

The Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community has customary institutions that also regulate and oversee the management of the lubuk larangan. The Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community has a relationship with the Gunung Sahilan Kingdom, which is the relationship between the central government area of the kingdom and the areas/regions under its jurisdiction. Until now, this relationship still exists with the customary institution that has a close relationship with the kingdom. The Ujung Bukit community has the principle of Tiga Tali Berpilin Tigo, which means there are three rules and systems that synergize in regulating their social life: alim ulama, ninik mamak, and village government. However, in social life, Ninik Mamak plays an important role in regulating the community. The process of organizing and discussing usually takes place in the Rumah Siompu. The Rumah Siompu is a respected place in the Tribe. This house is usually used as a place for deliberation, gathering, and holding major events. In Ujung Bukit itself, there are 6 Rumah Sumpu, including:

• • Rumah Siompu Datuk Khalifa
  • Rumah Siompu Datuk Majo Kayo
  • Rumah Siompu Datuk Rangkayo Mudo
  • Rumah Siompu Datuk Temenggung
  • Rumah Siompu Majo
  • Rumah Siompu Majo Indo

Rumah Siompo Datuk Khalifa is the house inhabited by the oldest leaders of each tribe. This house is designated for deliberating issues related to the level of caliphate. In addition, if there are events such as takbiran, the Rumah Sumpu is chosen as a gathering place.

The Customary Institution, including Ninik Mamak and Datuk Pucuk, has the right to decide when the Lubuk Larangan can be opened, and when opened, all community members have the right to participate in the andel and auction of the fish from the lubuk larangan. Andel is the distribution of fish that is not auctioned off, given to those who register by paying according to the costs set in the deliberation according to the number of andel, for example, if there are 100 andel (people participating), then the total auctioned fish and the smaller fish will be combined and divided evenly among the number of andel. The following are the applicable regulations:

• The Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community has the right to participate in a maximum of 2 andel/KK at a price of Rp.25,000/andel.
• Relatives living outside the village, whether from the father's or mother's lineage, have the same right to andel as those in the village, namely 2 andel/KK.
• For outsiders participating in the andel, there is no limit to the number, but the price of their andel is double the price of the Ujung Bukit community's andel.
• All fish catches will be totaled and distributed to the community.
• When opening the lubuk larangan, it is prohibited to catch fish smaller than the size of 4 adult fingers.
• Only nets and shooting arrows (like harpoons) may be used.
• The size of the net used must be at least 3 fingers or larger to avoid catching small fish.
• All equipment must be registered with the committee.
• All processes for opening the lubuk larangan prioritize mutual cooperation.
• Other rules (written by the committee) adjusted to the needs at the time of opening the lubuk larangan.
• After the main event of opening the lubuk larangan, it is followed by an auction of personal harvests with auction prices agreed upon by ninik mamak.

The management of the lubuk larangan is regulated at the time of opening or harvesting. The opening or harvesting of the lubuk larangan is done at least once a year, but with certain conditions met. Usually, the harvest time is during the dry season, namely June-August. The lubuk larangan can be opened by considering the physical condition of the river and the size of the fish to be harvested. If the river water is very low and clear and dominated by large fish (about 4 adult fingers), then a deliberation and customary meeting for opening the lubuk larangan can be held. Next, an organizing committee is formed. This committee will be responsible for recording the community members who will participate in the andel, coordinating for the preparation of bolek, etc.

The process of catching fish from the Lubuk Larangan in the Ujung Bukit area must be initiated by someone from the Domo Tribe. This is related to the process of forming the Lubuk Larangan. The figure who established the Lubuk Larangan comes from the Domo Tribe. The initial process of opening the lubuk larangan begins with the Datuk throwing the net; the first fish caught will be cut in half, with the head thrown ashore and the tail thrown into the river. Subsequently, the lubuk larangan is officially opened. After that, all residents go down to harvest from the lubuk larangan. Once finished, the fish will be weighed and distributed to all community members and other communities who also participated in the andel. Large fish will be auctioned. The income from the andel and auction will be managed for village development.

Currently, the lubuk larangan can be utilized when there is a customary event in the community agreed upon for a communal fish meal, such as during Eid al-Fitr or Eid al-Adha. One of the traditions is “Baliak Batobo Mancokau Ikan” in the Lubuk Larangan—a tradition that means returning together and gathering in the village to carry out the fish harvest in the Lubuk Larangan. In the past, not everyone in Subayang participated in this. However, after people saw the many benefits and advantages gained, the tradition of Mancokau Ikan in the Lubuk Larangan continues to thrive to this day.

The practice of managing Lubuk Larangan contributes to the preservation of river ecosystems so that they are not damaged by the communities living around the area. The Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community shows its concern for the river; they protect the river by implementing a fishing harvest system—they patiently obtain harvests within a time frame that has been mutually agreed upon. Although they do not get fish for free, they adhere to customary rules and happily continue to maintain the Lubuk Larangan area. This condition demonstrates that the practice of managing Lubuk Larangan provides positive value to the community, not only as an income source for the kenegerian, but Lubuk Larangan also fosters a strong sense of brotherhood as seen from many community members outside the kenegerian who also participate, creating a sense of unity among the community, fostering a high sense of care for the village, and playing a role in the preservation of ecosystems and fish species in the Subayang River. The preservation of the ecosystem can be seen from how the Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community acts towards the river. The community also uses safe tools when fishing, such as nets, traps, and iron arrow guns—without polluting the river, causing mass fish deaths, or disturbing other river habitats. The existence of Lubuk Larangan is maintained by the Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community to this day, showing that Lubuk Larangan has become a symbol of identity or representation of local practices successfully carried out by indigenous communities in managing their conservation areas.

The Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community has a legal basis based on the Kampar Regency Regulation Number 12 of 1999 regarding the recognition of rights to customary land. In addition, the Ujung Bukit Indigenous Community also has regulations regarding the establishment of a customary law committee.