Muruk Undong

The Bulusu Jalai Indigenous Community is part of the Bulusu Dayak Tribe whose ancestors originated from Gong Solok, Malinau River, and now manage and reside in the Jalai River, with some others in Respen Tangap since the resettlement program in 1972. The name Jalai itself comes from the river that crosses their territory. In Bulusu mythology, their ancestors are Jadu Lawang and Jaki Bugang, deities who reside in Muruk Lingu (heaven). Both descended Jaki Ibu to earth at Dagas Sebengawang, Gong Solok, using a kelangkang (basket) with provisions of kencur, machete, and a white chicken. From Jaki Ibu, the Bulusu community was born and later developed into a unified tribe.

History records a difficult time when the headhunting war occurred, which prompted the Bulusu community to move to the downstream and coastal areas, such as Malinau, Tana Tidung, Bulusu River, Pentian, Bengara, and Pimping. Their settlement pattern always follows the river flow by building baloy adat (longhouses) as the center of life. The Bulusu Jalai community initially lived in the Tedeng River, then in 1901 was moved to the Jalai River (formerly called Londong River) by the Bulungan Kingdom through Datuk Mansyur. Although they initially resisted, they eventually agreed to move after threats of punishment. Their arrival was accompanied by a peace agreement with the Bulungan Kingdom marked by a blood pact between customary leaders and royal representatives. Since then, they began to settle in the Jalai River and built baloys such as Baloy Adang, Mesikut, Seladung, Bunau, and Bidang.

During this time, they were subjected to buis (tax) by the Bulungan Kingdom. In 1901, two villages were established: Runim Sindai (downstream) and Runim Dirap (upstream), which in 1959 changed to Kampung Terindak and Kampung Bunau. The customary leadership also shifted to village head. Christianity entered through Pastor Sidorok (1960s), followed by the spread of Islam during the 1972 resettlement, and then most of the community returned to Catholicism or Christianity. In 1986, the timber company PT Intracawood entered the Bulusu Jalai customary territory, followed by other timber and palm oil companies. Although many were relocated to Respen Tangap, the community continued to farm, hunt, and utilize forest products in the Jalai River. Since the 1990s, access to customary territory has become increasingly limited due to company expansion. However, since the establishment of the Trans Kalimantan road (2000s), mobility to the old village has become easier, so in 2005 some community members returned to settle in the Jalai River to preserve traditions and manage their customary territory.

In the Dayak language, muruk means mountain. Muruk Undong is a mountain protected by the Bunau community because it has important functions for their lives. This area serves as a hunting ground as a source of protein. Hunting activities in Gunung Undong are not restricted, open to the general public. Muruk Undong is also a source of spring water, as well as providing forest products such as wood for general needs. Its utilization is regulated through a mutual agreement with a communal ownership system.

In addition to its ecological value, Muruk Undong also holds potential for natural tourism that can be developed as a source of community economy. Therefore, this area is seen as an important space that must be preserved, both for environmental sustainability and the welfare of future generations.

The community protects this area by using rules and prohibitions that have been adhered to since ancestral times, customary regulations passed down through generations, including;

• Prohibited from using poison (from ancestors)
• Prohibited from cutting down trees, except for general needs.
• Prohibited from opening gardens.
• Prohibited from hunting using explosives.
• Becoming a place for rituals or traditions.
• Protecting trees and ecosystems in the mountain area as a way to safeguard the source of spring water and hunting grounds for the community.

Sanctions for violators of these rules will be imposed in the form of fines in the form of jars/money with values adjusted to the level of violation. Decision-making in customary matters is conducted through customary meetings (Pegukum) that usually take place in the customary baloy, led by the customary chief and attended by the disputing parties, family, and witnesses. This meeting discusses the root of the problem until it establishes a customary fine. If an agreement is not reached and both parties remain adamant, a swearing ritual is taken as a last resort to prove the truth.

Muruk Undong, which is a mountain, contributes to the biodiversity of the mountain forest. Some important flora found in this area include;

• Bakag (bajakah root)
• Kelawid (medicine for internal heat)
• Lapiw
• Talun (can be used for ropes or clothing)
• Owoy (rattan)
• Nyatong (damar wood, which is used not only for burning but also for making boat glue).

Meanwhile, the fauna living around the area includes;

• Busow (monitor lizard)
• Pelanuk (mouse deer)
• Paus (deer)
• Tambang (deer)
• Landak (porcupine)
• Labi-labi (turtle)
• Lisis (small porcupine)
• Baduk (proboscis monkey)
• Kara (long-tailed monkey)
• Babi (pig)
• Tebiram (macaque)
• Kelawod (ua-ua)
• Kukom (a type of tailless monkey with a neck that can rotate)
• Eket (a type of monkey)
• Uwid-uwid (a bird used as a natural sign)
• Suwid (small bird)
• Sesed (bird)
• Aru-Aru (green cuckoo)
• Pempilang (bird)
• Pemporok (a bird that eats chili whose droppings can become seeds)
• Kiyod (rice-eating bird)
• Pirid (rice-eating bird)
• Bubut (brown bird with a black body)
• Bangkak (crow)
• Meranas (a type of hornbill with black and white feathers)
• Basing (squirrel)
• Mangkas (a large type of squirrel)
• Sukow (a small type of squirrel that cannot be consumed)
• Sangang (hornbill)
• Ntelasak (a bird used as a sign of the tide, lives on the riverbank)
• Kenaway (resembles a stork)
• Kuju (a bird with wide legs that is found at sea).

In Muruk Undong, there are several important AKKM points that are guarded by the community, including;

• Bengagis Tree: ownership based on descent, about 100 meters from the Bengagis tree is a protected area to keep the tree alive and must have wood for transport.
• Liyagu: an area on the riverbank as a fish spawning ground, usually circular (like a bay) and the water tends to be calm. There are several liyagu in Bunau, namely; Liyagu Jarung and Liyagu Luba.
• Jayung: a small river, elongated and a gathering place for fish, one of which is Jayung Suko.
• Turugan Stone (a historical site as a shelter or resting place for ancient people)
• Old village: Baloy Adang (the first and oldest Baloy), Baloy Minsikut, Baloy Dirap, Baloy Bidang, Baloy Bunau, Baloy Mensarang, Matoy River, Seladong, Luba, Pinun, Sakon Iluy, Baloy Nyaki Atang, Baloy Nyaki Dana

Undong River (located within Muruk Undong), there are rules that must be followed by the community, namely: Prohibited from damaging the river ecosystem, such as catching fish using poison and electricity and prohibited from catching fish excessively.

There are currently no specific regulations governing the recognition of the Muruk Undong Bulusu Jalai Bunau Village territory. However, the community has a collective commitment regarding the management of the AKKM territory by the wider community, and is working on submitting recognition for Indigenous Law Communities, Customary Forests, and developing natural tourism potential to be better managed.