Muruk Tiang Berayung (Gunung)

The first settlement of the Bulusu community was established in Baloy Buat, Ronondom, under the leadership of Yaki Atur. In Bulusu tradition, “Yaki” is an honorific title for elder men or customary leaders, so the name is always preceded by this title. During this time, the community lived a nomadic lifestyle with a shifting cultivation system, utilizing forest resources, and hunting with poisoned darts and dogs. During a period of raiding, Yaki Atur fell at Sungoi Oko, and leadership was passed on to his son, Yaki Ubay. To avoid attacks, the community experienced at least nine relocations of baloy until finally in 1972 they were moved to Respen Tangap through a government resettlement program.

During the leadership of Yaki Iros, who was later recognized by the Dutch colonial authorities with the title Pembakal, the community began trading in Tarakan through a barter system and paid buis (tax) to the Bulungan Sultanate. The colonial era also brought new regulations that ended the tradition of raiding and introduced schools, although this initially caused fear among the community. After Indonesia gained independence, the title of pembakal was replaced with village head, in line with the establishment of permanent villages.

In the 1960s, religion began to enter: Islam on the coast and Catholicism in the interior, which changed the social structure and customs. In 1972, the Bulusu community of Kendari was relocated to Respen Tangap to bring them closer to health and education facilities. Although settled, they continued to cultivate fields and forests in their customary area using huts (Lubung Umo), and since the 1980s, motorboats have facilitated their mobility.

Entering the 2000s, their customary area was threatened by the entry of logging companies (2001) and palm oil plantations (2005–2008). Currently, about three-quarters of the customary area has been planted with palm oil, leading to a decrease in biodiversity. Community access is now limited to the remaining fields and jakau, while large game animals like wild boar are nearly extinct, leaving behind small wildlife that is increasingly rare.

Muruk Tiang Berayung is a mountainous area protected by the community, and its natural resources can be utilized, such as wood and honey. In addition to utilizing the forest products, the mountain is also used by the community as a water source and land reserve. Muruk Tiang Berayung has a mountain forest ecosystem type with large trees of approximately 60 degrees in diameter and not too steep slopes.

Wood harvesting in this area is limited to household needs, not for commercial purposes. Muruk Tiang Berayung has large trees with dry land and a variety of tree species, such as menggeris, adaw, ulin, tengkawang. Traditionally, when the community first opens a garden, they will plant Tengkawang trees because they grow easily. In Muruk Tiang Berayung, there are management rules, namely, it is prohibited to cut down trees within 3-4 meters of the mountain area. If this rule is violated, there are penalties in the form of fines amounting to a certain level of offense, usually 6-8 million.

There are also general prohibitions for the entire community in the Muruk Tiang Berayung area, both on land and in water, including: 1) Prohibition for outsiders to clear and open gardens without permission, 2) Prohibition to sell residential land to outsiders other than Bulusu, and 3) Prohibition against theft, violations of which will incur penalties. Penalties for violations of these rules will be imposed in the form of fines adjusted to the level of the violation. Decision-making in customary matters is conducted through customary meetings (Pegukum) usually held in the customary baloy, with discussions involving customary leaders, the community, and the village head.

Muruk Tiang Berayung, which is a mountain, contributes to the biodiversity of the mountain forest. Several important flora species found in this area include;

• Damok Tree
• Meranti Tree
• Manggris Tree
• These are usually used as bee nests for the community to later harvest honey.
• Ficus Tree

Meanwhile, the fauna living around the area includes;

• Birds (Punpulu)
• Swallows (Tuwayan)
• Hornbills (Sangang)
• Monkeys, Wild Boars (Kelawod)
• Mouse Deer (Pelanuk)
• Deer (Paus)
• Goats (Payau)
• Porcupines (Butun).

In Muruk Tiang Berayung, there are important points outside the area protected by the community in the form of longhouses (Baloy) including:

• Baloy Alung Ronomdom
• Baloy Alung Lawan
• Baloy Sungoi Kayan
• Baloy Kendari
• Baloy Sungoi Kusob
• Baloy Bebiyou
• Baloy Mulud.

There are currently no specific regulations governing the recognition of the Muruk Tiang Berayung Bulusu Alung Tulou Kendari area. However, the community has a collective commitment regarding the management of the AKKM area by the broader community. The Bulusu Alung Tulou Kendari indigenous community has been working to preserve their customary area through the drafting of Village Regulations (Perdes). This written regulation contains governance for the utilization of forests so that it is easier to understand, socialize, and serve as a basis for resolving customary disputes.

In addition, the community is also actively advocating for the recognition of Muruk Tiang Berayung as a Customary Forest. This recognition is expected to provide certainty and legal protection for the rights of indigenous peoples while also safeguarding the area from encroachment or the interests of outsiders.