Pemantang Tenam Tujuh

The village of Ulak Lebar has a long history that began from Dusun Enau Becangka around the year 1600, when the Semende Darat community migrated and settled in the Muara Sahung area on the banks of the Sahung River, which is now close to the Bukit Barisan Selatan National Park. Ancestors such as Puyang Periksa Alam and Puyang Tabir Angin opened settlements and formed a customary social system that has been passed down to this day. Around the years 1958–1960, the community moved to the more accessible Ulak Lebar area, and village leadership continued to evolve from the demang system to modern village heads.

The Community Managed Conservation Area (AKKM) practice in Ulak Lebar is a traditional heritage that has been carried out for generations for 101–500 years. This management pattern is based on the local wisdom of the Semende community, who live in harmony with the forest as a source of life and ancestral heritage. The aim is to support sustainable livelihoods, preserve customary knowledge, and maintain the ecological functions of the forest as a source of water and protector of the area.

In its development, the Ulak Lebar community received assistance from the Ulayat Foundation in 2005–2006 in village planning, and from AMAN and Ulayat in 2012 in resolving land disputes with companies. These efforts strengthen recognition of the community-managed area and make AKKM a tangible manifestation of the continuity between ancestral heritage and the community's adaptation to modern challenges in preserving nature.

Bukit Tenam Tumutan Tujuh is a hilly area that remains a dense forest and has not been touched due to its location being very far from settlements. The name “Tenam Tumutan Tujuh” comes from the terms Tenam (wood), Tumutan (meeting of springs), and Tujuh (number of springs) which describes the character of this area as a place where seven main water sources meet. The landscape is dominated by large trees with diameters reaching four meters or more, and dry soil with varying slopes. Hydrologically, this area is the source for seven major river flows: in Bengkulu, there are Air Kinal, Air Padang Guci, Air Sahung, and Air Luas, while in South Sumatra, there are Air Mekakau, Air Musi, and Air Kendikat. This hill plays an important role as a natural protective area and water source, although it has not yet been utilized by the community.

Locally, this area functions as a protective area and water source for the community. Some springs and surrounding hills are utilized for daily needs, while the Suban spring and Tenam hill are still preserved due to their remote location and status as protected areas. In managing natural resources, the community adheres to various customary prohibitions such as Ulu Tolong Buntu, Tungku Tiga, Kijang Nyelipiran, Jaring Api, Dikekas, Tube, and conducts the Ritual of Farewell to the Forest Guardian, Petaunan Sehendi, and prohibits activities in the forest during the Sepit month.

The utilization of resources in this area is restricted by customary law, where the community is only allowed to take natural products in certain quantities and types, and limited to areas close to settlements. This local wisdom-based management demonstrates the community's commitment to maintaining ecosystem balance and the sustainability of water sources for their lives.

Customary regulations in the village of Ulak Lebar play an important role in preserving natural resources in the Community Managed Conservation Area (AKKM). Various traditional rules such as;

Ulu Tolong Buntu

Prohibition on building houses or huts between two hills, especially around water sources.

This area is believed to be a path for spirits and must be kept natural.

Cingkai Pematang

Building houses in the middle of the embankment (between two hills) is prohibited.

Tungku Tiga

Prohibited from opening houses or gardens in a pattern resembling three parallel stoves.

Violations are believed to bring misfortune or difficulties in life.

Kijang Nyelipiran

Prohibition on building huts or gutters too far from settlements.

Jaring Api

When clearing land, it is prohibited to leave a narrow forest between gardens.

Dikekas

Before burning land, garden boundaries must be cleared about ±5 meters (3 kekas).

Tube

Prohibited from poisoning, electrifying, or using explosives in rivers.

Ritual of Farewell to the Forest Guardian

The ritual is performed before clearing land by offering offerings as a form of permission and respect for nature.

Petaunan Sehendi

Tradition of clearing land and planting simultaneously to protect each other and control pests.

Prohibition of the Sepit Month (Dhu al-Qaidah)

Prohibited from carrying out major activities such as clearing land, planting, marrying, or building houses.

Bukit Tenam Tumutan Tujuh, which is a hilly area, contributes to the biodiversity of the hill forest. Some important species of flora and fauna found in this area include;

Flora

• Meranti
• Tenam
• Seluai
• Kayu melau
• Plagan / Kruing
• Gaharu
• Damar
• Kayu lulus / Ulin
• Kayu kendikat (honey tree)
• Kayu ndelemu (honey tree)
• Kayu kemenyan
• Bancung
• Bamboo
• Various types of medang wood (including Medang Gadis)
• Diverse types of rattan
• Semuhau
• Iron stone
• Gold
• Yellow root
• Bajakah root
• Medicinal wood: sima kubung, lasih (young leaves crushed for morning baths to treat fever), tetap manau root, kundang root
• Medicinal Plants
• Lasih leaves
• Semulap root leaves (for fever/cough)
• Bajakah root
• Kekait abang manau (to drink, cough medicine)
• Jihang abang (burn treatment)
• Lihik fruit (boil prevention)
• Champaca sap (toothache medicine)
• Water/dew from bird's leaf (eye drop medicine)
• Fat banana heart (breast milk enhancer)
• Mentuduk sap (wound medicine)

Fauna

• Tiger
• Deer
• Mouse deer
• Wild boar
• Monkey
• Pangolin
• Tenuk (tapir)
• Babirusa
• Siamang
• Orangutan
• Hornbill
• Eagle
• Kuau
• Leopard
• Clouded leopard
• Bear
• Various types of snakes (aurlanting, tugang, beniol, tteki)
• Murai
• Spring fish
• Pelus fish
• Mungkus
• Cengkak
• Seluang
• Softshell turtle
• Layangan fish
• Pehek
• Pelung

There are several important sites in the village of Ulak Lebar that are still preserved by the community, including;

• Ayek Suban (Tigarasa Spring)
• Ayek Pandak (Short Spring)
• Batu Tapak peritsalam; the footprint that opened the village of Muara Sahung for the first time.
• Old Tomb of Penabak (the opener of the Ulak Lebar hamlet)
• Tomb of Puyang Haji named Ismail,
• Tomb of Raden Abang named Kenimbur,
• Tomb of Raje Niti
• Manggahan Spring

There are currently no specific regulations governing the recognition of Bukit Tenam Tumutan Tujuh. However, the community has a collective commitment regarding the management of the AKKM area by the broader community.