Pong Mese, Golo Linus

In prehistoric times in the 1800s, the community originated from Tasungnangge and then moved to Rendang, and then moved again to Kampung Munde—which is a large village with a very large population. From Kampung Munde, they then settled in Pari. The first person or ancestor to inhabit Kampung Pari was Nenek Luwi, who then opened a new village called Kampung Soda. The descendants of Nenek Lawi who settled in Kampung Soda include Nenek Jizuk, Nenek Wonggol, Nenek Takhii, Nenek Siok, and Nenek Zusah. Due to the large number of descendants in Kampung Soda, they formed a village in Waru. Thus, the village currently inhabited is called Kampung Waru Soda. During the time of Indonesia's independence, due to the rapid growth of the population, they eventually moved again to Munde. The first reason for the move was to avoid wars, to find a more strategic location, and for easier access. The formation of the village was first carried out through a customary ritual aimed at legitimizing a customary village to ensure that the indigenous people's lives are guaranteed to be safe and peaceful, with no illness, and no sudden diseases that could cause harm. The following are the names of the tribes in the village:

1. Natar bebong: sabu, bebong, pata, loge, mimoe, pinggang

2. Natar Singit: singit, pata, rai, loge, pinggang, sabu, mimor

3. Natar soda: rai, pinggang, loge, sabo, pata, mimor, bebong, singit

The Golo Linus Indigenous Community has a protected area called Pong Mese. Pong Mese is a forest area populated by large trees whose wood can be cut down for building needs (Mei, Dalok, Mensang, Munting, Daru, Ampufu, Ledu, Ajang, Surnanak, Kawak, Lale, Waek, Merak, Kui, Mes, Nyelong) and for medicinal purposes. In addition, it is also utilized as a reserve land area and a sacred ritual site. Currently, Pong Mese 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 Pong Mese is that no trees may be cut down without the permission of the customary leader. All members of the Golo Linus Indigenous Community have the responsibility to protect Pong Mese. Decision-making related to Pong Mese is conducted through deliberation at the house of Tua Teno or Tua Golo. The management of Pong Mese is regulated by unwritten customary law passed down through generations along with the Soda Customary Institution with the following structure:

1. Tua Golo, responsible for resolving all rules regarding customs, especially rituals.

2. Tua Teno, responsible for drafting customary rules and regulating land distribution.

3. Tua Panga, responsible for resolving issues and customary affairs.

4. Tua Kilo, responsible for resolving all household issues.

Pong Mese is protected because the Golo Linus Indigenous Community has rules that have been passed down through generations to maintain and preserve the cultural heritage of their ancestors. Additionally, Pong Mese is important to protect because it contains natural resources in the form of springs. Certainly, by maintaining and protecting these natural resources, the entire Golo Linus Indigenous Community can utilize these resources whenever needed.

Moreover, the protection of Pong Mese contributes to the preservation of ecosystems and biodiversity, such as high-value flora and fauna. The following are the flora and fauna found in the Pong Mese area: 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 Golo Linus Indigenous Community does not yet have legislation regulating the recognition and protection of indigenous people's rights or the recognition of protected areas. However, the Indigenous Community in East Manggarai Regency has a legal basis related to the Recognition, Protection, and Empowerment of Indigenous Law Communities in East Manggarai Regency through Regional Regulation Number 1 of 2018.