Mangi-mangi Kamora

The Kamora Indigenous Community, which now resides in Kampung Kamora (Mioko), is part of the Kamoro Tribe, which is divided into three taparu or sub-tribes: Mbaca, Iwuka, and Burpapimbra. Their ancestors initially lived a nomadic lifestyle, influenced by factors such as conflict, disease outbreaks, and customary beliefs. Each migration left behind traces of old settlements known as Kampung Lama.

The migration began from Tinaruma around the Kamora River, then continued to Ampouta, Mbakarepeyau, Ndaweya, Iputarimane, Kamokowau (Kuala Kencana), Pekarau, and Mbiko. Finally, the ancestors settled in Mbakripare, which is the location of present-day Kampung Kamora. In each residence, the community experienced dynamics, ranging from mass murder tragedies, customary curses, wars, to the first interactions with the Dutch colonial government.

Kampung Mbiko plays an important role as it was where the Karapau customary festival was first held to unite various taparu. The name “Mioko” itself originates from the word Mbiyoko, which means “very good water,” but was changed by Dutch naming. Administratively, this village is known as Kampung Kamora. The Kamora community also faced difficult periods, such as the cholera outbreak in the 1950s and the outbreak in 1983, which temporarily caused the population to migrate to the coast.

After Papua became part of Indonesia in 1962, village governance began to be formally organized. The following are the leadership in Kampung Kamora:

• Martinus Waupuru (1962–1977), led Kampung Atuka, Kamora, and Iwaka.
• Kaspar Mauyako (1977–1982), during this time Atuka separated.
• Yoseph Waupuru (1984–1992), led Kampung Kamora and Iwaka.
• Agustinus Manikiuta (1992–2007), during his leadership Iwaka separated.
• Thobias Natiyaipaku (2007–present), as the current village head.

Until now, the Kamoro Indigenous community resides in Kampung Kamora (Mbakripare). Their long history of migration has shaped a strong community identity, with customs, taparu structures, and a leadership system that continues to be maintained and adapted to the times.

The Indigenous Management Area of the Kamoro Indigenous Community covers an area of 14,871 hectares, mostly consisting of mangrove forests or what is referred to in Central Papua as mangi-mangi. Additionally, this area includes forests, swamps, sago villages, and sacred cultural spaces. Within the mangi-mangi forest, there are important sites in the form of customary buildings, tifa, and ancestral burial complexes that indicate the existence of old villages once abandoned by the community. The mangi-mangi area has ecological, social, cultural, and economic values, making it an important space that must be preserved and protected.

The initiation of the AKKM in the mangi-mangi area was carried out by the Kamoro indigenous community as a form of affirmation of their traditional management area. This process was facilitated by the Blue Forest Foundation through participatory mapping activities, documentation, and registration support. Discussions involved customary institutions, village governments, churches, community leaders, and women's groups, until it was mutually agreed that the mangi-mangi area should be recognized and protected as a customary management area.

The mangi-mangi area functions to protect the coast, forests, swamps, and sacred cultural spaces, as well as provide hunting grounds and main food sources for the community. Residents seek protein from fish, shellfish, monitor lizards, and even crocodiles. Additionally, there are sago villages that serve as traditional food reserves, and wood that is used sparingly for customary needs, such as carving statues. This area is managed communally by four large units called taparu, each further divided into sub-taparu and clans.

The utilization of natural resources is conducted with sustainability principles. The community only takes what is necessary for daily needs, without excess. Natural forest products such as sago or wood can be accessed collectively, but cultivated plants like coconuts can only be harvested by their planters. Although taparu ownership is clear, other indigenous communities are still permitted to enter to fish or gather forest products, provided they have the permission of the taparu owner. In some locations, taparu owners place large wooden signs as markers to prohibit outsiders from entering indiscriminately.

The customary rules that apply in the mangi-mangi area are passed down orally from generation to generation. These rules include:

• Prohibition on excessive logging of mangrove trees.
• Entry into taparu areas without the owner's permission is not allowed.
• Utilization of resources is only for necessary needs, not for exploitation.
• Respect for sacred sites and not damaging them.

If violations occur, resolution is carried out gradually. The offender will first be called and warned according to customary law. If the violation is repeated, social sanctions in the form of ostracism from the community will be imposed. If the violation is serious and harms many parties, the case may be reported to the authorities for further processing.

With these rules and mechanisms, the Kamoro indigenous community ensures that the mangi-mangi area remains sustainable and functions as a source of life inherited from ancestors for future generations.

The mangi-mangi area is still well-preserved and serves as a source of food and shelter for the residents. The area of the sacred old village is almost untouched, thus the ecosystem within it remains sustainable and well-maintained.

The community's food and cultural needs are also guaranteed by the sustainability of this area. Certain food sources, such as monitor lizards, sago, and snails, also serve as materials for rituals, which are still abundant. Here is a list of biodiversity found in the mangi-mangi area:

Fauna

Aves (Birds)

• Papuan Nightjar (Uroglaux dimorpha)
• Greater Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea apoda)
• Rattan Bird-of-Paradise (Diphyllodes magnificus)
• King Bird-of-Paradise (Cicinnurus regius)
• Wire-tailed Bird-of-Paradise (Seleucidis melanoleucus)
• New Guinea Crowned Pigeon (Goura sclaterii)
• Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)
• Black Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus)
• Dual-wattled Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius)
• Southern Cassowary (Goura sclaterii)
• Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus)
• Black-capped Lory (Chalcopsitta fuscata)
• Red-cheeked Lory (Geoffroyus geoffroyi)
• Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
• Red-footed Booby (Megapodius reinwardt)
• New Guinea Eagle (Harpyopsis novaeguineae)
• Little Eagle (Hieraaetus weiskei)
• New Guinea Crow (Cracticus cassicus)
• Purple Starling (Aplonis metallica)
• Great Frigatebird (Fregata minor)

Mammals

• Wild Boar (Sus scrofa)
• Golden-mantled Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus pulcherrimus)
• Grey Cuscus (Phalanger mimicus)
• Guannal Cuscus (Phalanger gymnotis)
• Spotted Cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus)
• Ground Cuscus (Perorcytes raffrayana)
• Sugar Glider (Petaurus breviceps)
• Flying Fox (Pteropus sp.)
• Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus)

Reptiles & Aquatic Biota

• Mangrove Monitor (Varanus indicus)
• Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus novaeguineae)
• Green Python (Morelia viridis)
• Amethystine Python (Morelia amethistina)
• New Guinea Death Adder (Acanthophis antarcticus)
• Red-eared Turtle (Emydura subglobosa)
• Platypus Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta)
• Mangrove Crab (Scylla spp.)

Within the mangi-mangi area, there are 4 sacred sites, each located in different places: Bakarepeyau (68.83 ha), Tapokopa (18.83 ha), Kinimbiru (89.61 ha), and Tarambiru (23.84 ha).

The customary territory of the Kamoro community, which includes the mangi-mangi area covering 14,871 hectares, is located within the Protected Forest area based on the Minister of Forestry's Decree Number: 782/Menhut-II/2012 concerning the Designation of Forest Areas. The existence of this area status emphasizes the importance of ecological protection that aligns with the traditional management of the Kamoro indigenous community that has been passed down through generations.