Po Ngata Totua Ngkolu

The Lindu Indigenous Community has a specially managed and protected area due to its spiritual values, history, and benefits for the welfare of the surrounding community. This area has been preserved for generations by the Lindu Indigenous Community, and it is Po Ngata Totua Ngkolu. Po Ngata Totua Ngkolu is the area of the village of the elders before the Dutch entered Lindu and eventually relocated to the current village. Sacred objects/heritage items from the elders of the past are often found in this area.

In addition, the Lindu Indigenous Community has divisions of other customary spaces, namely: Posoua (residential area of the community), Lida (community rice fields), Bondea (active garden area with land cover of perennial plants), Tongo (lake area), Talinti (swamp area), Rano (pond area), Lambara (livestock grazing area), Ngurah (former cultivated land), Pampa (active community garden area with land cover of secondary crops), Pangale (young forest area), Wanangkiki (jungle forest area).

The system of customary land ownership in the Lindu area is divided into two: (1) individual ownership based on a principle believed by the Lindu Indigenous Community that the land is customary land that has been inherited or given by ancestors to a specific person or family to be preserved and managed, such as Suaka Lambara. (2) communal ownership is ownership held collectively by the community and utilized and regulated in its use and supervision collectively, including rules and sharing of results if managed together, such as Lindu Lake, Po Ngata Totua Ngkolu, Suaka Todea, Suaka Wiata. However, the management regulations have not yet been established in customary institutions as they are still managed by customary institutions in each village. The following is the structure of the customary institution (Totua Nuada):

1. Jogugu serves as Tutua Ngata or the decision-maker
2. Galara serves as the decision-maker
3. Pabisara serves as the lawyer
4. Kapita serves as the mediator of the decision
5. Suro serves as the envoy, messenger, and communication link for the community involved in the case.

There are also traditional rituals performed by the Lindu Indigenous Community related to the management of protected areas, namely: the Vunca Customary Ritual or a customary ceremony/thanksgiving for the harvest. Additionally, there are management rules known as Ombo, which are the results of decisions made by the customary institution together with the local community. Furthermore, there are also rituals performed by the Lindu Indigenous Community, such as: Popatoua/Mopatou (annual thanksgiving for children reaching one year of age). Currently, these regulations do not have a written form and are only orally passed down through generations.

The management practices carried out by the Lindu Indigenous Community in this area contribute significantly in various aspects. The community protects the area of Po Ngata Totua Ngkolu because it contains historical relics and is related to the spiritual values believed by the Lindu Indigenous Community. The hope is that this area is protected so that these historical items do not disappear or are taken by irresponsible parties—this contributes to the preservation of the culture of the Lindu Indigenous Community. Thirdly, the management practices of this area also contribute to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity because this area still contains valuable flora and fauna such as: Anoa, Babirusa, Sulawesi Black Monkey, Cuscus, Tangkasi, Deer, Alo Bird, Cockatoo, and Maleo Bird. Additionally, there are Fig Trees, Pitcher Plants, Wanga Trees, and Leda Trees.

This management practice also contributes to social and cultural aspects. Interaction with other indigenous communities is increasing. Currently, there is the Lindu Lake Festival held every year. This festival is initiated by the Sigi Regency Government in collaboration with external parties as an ecological restoration movement. This is also done because the Lindu area is located within the conservation area of Lore Lindu National Park.

Decision of the Sigi Regent Number 189-595 of 2017 regarding the Recognition and Protection of Customary Law Communities and Customary Areas of To Lindu in Sigi Regency