Mpong Sengit

The Lawi Indigenous Community has two ancestors from different regions. The first ancestor came from Minangkabau with the purpose of coming to Lawi because he was sent by Gelarang to become Teno (customary leader). After several years occupying the territory of the Lawi Indigenous Community and having descendants. Then, the second ancestor came from Cibal named Mahang. After several years of Mahang settling in Lawi, Mahang was sent by Lawi to move to Taeng and become Teno Taeng. Not long after that, Mahang was expelled by the Dutch. Finally, Mahang moved back to Lawi but then moved again to Lai. After several years of settling in Lai, Mahang moved to Lando until now and has descendants.

The Lawi Indigenous Community has been in Lawi since the first ancestors occupied Lawi. According to stories from each descendant, the name of the Lawi community is taken from the name of a vegetable, namely Sayur Lawi—which was commonly eaten by the ancestors in ancient times. Descendants of the Minangkabau/Mboro Golo tribe came to Lawi from the southern coastal area. From Lawi worong then moved to Lawi morotompong. After several years of settling there, they finally searched for another place and settled until now in Kampung Lawi. The reason for their relocation was that there was no development in meeting their living needs, and health was also not guaranteed.

Between the descendants of the Mbori golo tribe and Mboru Mese, there is no kinship relationship in one lineage or ancestor. However, over time, kinship relationships developed due to marriages. The entry of new religious teachings occurred during the Dutch colonial period by a pastor from the Netherlands named Yansen. The religion that entered at that time was Catholicism, so all the community members today accept the teachings of Catholicism. Although they embrace Catholicism, the Lawi Indigenous Community still performs customary rituals. The entry of Catholic teachings did not eliminate the existing customary rituals.

The Lawi Indigenous Community has a protected area passed down through generations called Mpong Sengit. Mpong Sengit is a forbidden forest area or a sacred site—within it, there are spring water sources, and it is utilized as a reserve land area. The area around Mpong Sengit also has natural resources that can be used as building materials and traditional medicines. Mpong Sengit is an area that is forbidden for humans to touch. Currently, Mpong Sengit is not utilized for any activities and has been agreed upon by the indigenous community as a special protected area.

The main rule established in Mpong Sengit is that cutting down trees is prohibited. The entire Lawi indigenous community has the responsibility to protect Mpong Sengit. The management of Mpong Sengit is regulated in unwritten customary law that has been passed down through generations along with the Lando customary institution. The Lando customary institution consists of:

1. Tua Teno, responsible for dividing land and resolving customary issues;

2. Tua Golo, responsible for resolving issues that occur before being brought to Tua Teno and assisting Tua Teno in dividing land;

3. Tua Panga, responsible for resolving issues that occur within the tribe;

4. Tua Kilo, responsible for resolving issues within families.

The management system of the customary area is managed communally and individually. The areas managed communally include: Mpong Sengit, Mpuar, and Satar. Meanwhile, the areas managed individually are: Beo, Uma, and Galung. The following is the division of space in the Lawi Indigenous Community:

1. Uma/garden, is an area planted with long-lived plants or plants that can be traded, such as: coffee, cloves, and others.

2. Galung/rice field, is a wetland area planted with rice.

3. Mpong Sengit, is a forbidden area that contains springs, this area is also not touched by humans.

4. Mpuar, is a forest area utilized for the needs of the indigenous community, but not sold.

5. Satar/pasture, is an area for grazing livestock.

6. Beo/Settlement, is an area for living.

Mpong Sengit is protected because the Lawi Indigenous Community has rules that have been passed down through generations to maintain and preserve the cultural heritage from their ancestors. In addition, Mpong Sengit is important to protect because it contains natural resources in the form of spring water—which contributes to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity. Certainly, by maintaining and protecting natural resources, the entire Golo Linus indigenous community can utilize these resources at any time or when they need them (even though there are currently prohibitory rules). The Mpong Sengit area also has flora and fauna within it such as: flora (Mei, Dalok, Mensang, Munting, Daru, Ampufu, Ledu, Ajang, Surnanak, Kawak, Lale, Waek, Merak, Kui, Mes, Nyelong) and fauna (Birds, Deer, Antelope, Wild Boar).

The Lawi Indigenous Community only has a legal basis regarding the recognition, protection, and empowerment of customary law communities in East Manggarai Regency. There has not been any official recognition and protection to acknowledge the existence of rights or areas protected by the Lawi Indigenous Community.

- East Manggarai Regency Regulation Number 1 of 2018 concerning the Recognition, Protection, and Empowerment of Customary Law Communities