Lubuk Larangan Ninik Mamak

The history of the Malako Kociak community is told from the story of a King of Gunung Sahilan from Kampar Kiri who visited the Pangkalan Serai community and passed through the Malako Kociak community. However, the king was not well received by the Malako Kociak people, so he did not stop and preferred to continue his journey to the Pangkalan Serai community. The next day, the king returned downstream and went back to the Kingdom of Gunung Sahilan. On his way home, the king intended to stop at Malako Kociak, but the people there still did not welcome the King. Finally, the king felt angry and furious with the Malako Kociak people for seeming to underestimate his arrival.

This feeling of annoyance lingered in the king's heart until he left Kampuang Malako Kociak. Before he continued his journey home, the king hung on the branch of a petai tree located downstream by the community's bathing area, known as Lubuk Tunggagh while picking leaves. The king then called out (prayed) to God, saying, “O Allah, O Lord, if I am indeed a king in Kampar Kiri, then as many petai leaves as I have picked, let them fall and the people of Malako Kociak die.” Then, the King continued his journey home to the Kingdom of Gunung Sahilan.

Upon the king's arrival at the Kingdom of Gunung Sahilan, the Malako Kociak people began to suffer from illness and even died. This incident made prominent figures in Kampuang Malako Kociak express their regret for being cursed by the King. The Malako Kociak people then became insane, referred to by the community as miring, and died because they continuously thought about the calamity in their village. This incident caused the community to change the name from Malako Kociak to Kenegerian Miring (pronounced miriang). However, the youth were too ashamed to mention the original name of their community. Therefore, it was proposed to change the name Kenegerian Miring back to its original, namely Kenegerian Malako Kociak. Another reason for reverting to the name Malako Kociak is that its meaning is “to take small steps.” The life of the community when using the name Malako Kociak was safer in terms of community welfare and economy.

The Kenegerian Malako Kociak has a protected area called Lubuk Larangan. This Lubuk Larangan is used as an asset by Ninik Mamak and the youth as a place for village development. Lubuk Larangan is a practice of local wisdom passed down through generations along the Subayang River in Rimbang Baling – Kampar Kiri Hulu. 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 (a pool) that is generally a breeding ground for fish. Meanwhile, larangan refers to actions that are not permitted. Thus, lubuk larangan is a part of the river that is deep and becomes a breeding ground for fish. The area of lubuk larangan contains customary rules regarding the utilization of natural resources in the form of restrictions and prohibitions on fish harvesting for a certain period, based on mutual agreement among the community. Lubuk larangan was first implemented in 1983, and a year later, in 1984, the first opening was conducted. Initially, the Kenegerian Malako Kociak only had one lubuk larangan, namely the ninik mamak's lubuk larangan. Then, the youth's lubuk larangan began to be enforced in 2013 and was first opened/harvested in 2014 as income for youth activities.

Lubuk larangan has become both an asset and a source of income for the community for village development. This area is designated to maintain the quantity and quality of fish in the river. The opening of lubuk larangan can also be utilized when there is a large family gathering, especially for those who have migrated outside the region. It is hoped that those who have migrated can return to their birthplace feeling happy because they are welcomed by fresh fish. In addition, the event serves as a gathering place for people from different tribes, which may also serve as a venue for finding partners.

The location of the lubuk larangan is chosen based on an agreement through a deliberation involving all parties, namely ninik mamak, village officials, youth, and the Kenegerian Malako Kociak community. The location has remained the same from the past until now, not moving, and is close to the residents' settlements; in fact, the residents use this location as a bathing area. The lubuk larangan is managed collectively. Supervision and monitoring are also carried out by the entire community and assisted by customary institutions. The establishment of rules and penalties is determined by ninik mamak based on the consensus of all parties.

Violations of fish harvesting in the lubuk larangan are considered a curse (such as a bloated stomach and illnesses that will not heal). This occurs because at the beginning of the establishment of the lubuk larangan, the community has sworn in the presence of their ancestors together not to take fish, to obey the rules, and to always maintain the area of the lubuk larangan. Then, this oath is followed by a prayer reading (Surat Yasin). This sanction is not written but binding and is strictly adhered to by the entire community. Fish in the Lubuk Larangan can only be harvested/taken when the opening of the lubuk larangan has been mutually agreed upon. This is usually done during the dry season (when the river recedes and the water is clear) and/or during customary events or major events in the community.

The following are the rules that must be followed during the harvest/fish taking:

• • Small fish must not be taken.
  • Only nets and harpoons may be used.

• The size of the net used must be at least 3 fingers wide to avoid catching small fish.
• All equipment must be shown to the committee.
• All processes of opening the lubuk larangan must prioritize mutual cooperation.

The following is a broad overview of the process of opening and closing the lubuk larangan:

1. The determination of the date is based on the physical condition of the river, whether it has started to recede and the water is starting to clear (usually during the dry season).
2. A deliberation of all parties (ninik mamak, village officials, and the community) to determine the appropriate date for the opening of the lubuk larangan.
3. Ninik mamak sets the date, which will then be announced to all community members.
4. A committee is formed to coordinate the collection of contributions and the construction of bolek (barriers to prevent fish from escaping from the lubuk larangan) through mutual cooperation.
5. The day before the opening of the lubuk larangan, the condition of the river will be monitored by someone with traditional knowledge about clouds and rain forecasts—observing the cloud conditions in the upstream area.
6. If the conditions are good, the lubuk larangan will be opened; however, if not, the community will reconvene and set a new appropriate date.

The following is the harvesting process of the lubuk larangan:

1. The opening of the lubuk larangan is conducted from morning until noon. It begins with reciting prayers, then Datuk Sinaro throws the net and catches the first fish. The fish will be cut into two parts: the head is thrown onto the land, and the tail into the river.
2. Next, the lubuk larangan is officially opened, and everyone can catch fish according to the established rules.
3. After that, the fish are weighed and can be distributed.
4. Followed by a communal meal.
5. After the event is over, the lubuk larangan is closed again, but there is an opportunity for anyone who wants to participate in the auction that night (only at that time).

The customary institution in Kenegerian Malako Kociak is led by Datuk Pucuk and Datuk Sinaro, or referred to as Andiko Besar Dua Sekoto—meaning the person who leads the land and waters in each nagori or village. The following is the customary structure found in Kenegerian Malako Kociak:

• Datuk Pucuk Godang ke Nagori: serves as the highest leader in the kenegerian.
• Ninik Mamak: serves as the highest tribal administrator in each tribal area of Kenegerian Malako Kociak.
• Tunganai: plays a role in marriage ceremonies to inform other tribes.

The practice of managing Lubuk Larangan contributes to the preservation of the river ecosystem of Kenegerian Malako Kociak. The community shows its concern for the river; they protect the river by implementing a fish harvesting system in the lubuk larangan—they patiently harvest the yields at a time that has been mutually agreed upon. They adhere to customary rules and happily continue to maintain the Lubuk Larangan area because they believe there are values that are still preserved to this day regarding the management of lubuk larangan and contribute to the welfare of the community and village development. This condition demonstrates that the practice of managing lubuk larangan provides positive value to the community, not only as a source of income for the kenegerian treasury, but Lubuk Larangan also fosters a strong sense of brotherhood, creates a sense of community cohesion, cultivates a high sense of care for the village, and plays a role in the preservation of the ecosystem and fish species in the Subayang River. The preservation of the ecosystem can be seen from how the Kenegerian Malako Kociak community acts towards the river. Furthermore, the community also uses safe tools when fishing, such as nets, traps, and iron harpoons—not polluting the river, causing mass fish deaths, or disturbing other river habitats. The existence of Lubuk Larangan is maintained by the Indigenous community of Kenegerian Malako Kociak to this day, showing that Lubuk Larangan has become a symbol of identity or representation of local practices successfully carried out by the Indigenous community in managing its conservation area.

The Indigenous People of Kenegerian Malako Kociak have a legal basis based on the Regional Regulation of Kampar Regency Number 12 of 1999 regarding the recognition of rights to customary land. In addition, the Indigenous People of Kenegerian Malako Kociak also have regulations regarding the formation of the Indigenous Law Community committee.