Pong Meze, Wongko Kigit

The origin of the community tells that Dor Keros comes from Kampung Munde. There was an extraordinary event in Kampung Munde, where a child was playing hide and seek with friends, and this little child hid inside a barn. When the child entered, he immediately sank to the bottom of the barn and disappeared completely. The child was missing for about a week, and the parents and villagers tried to search but were unsuccessful. Suddenly, one day a dog was licking something under the house of the child's parents, and then someone saw up close that there were droplets of liquid from above the house where the barn was stored, and it had a foul smell. This was immediately reported to the homeowner, and it turned out that the liquid that dripped was the fluid of the dead child in the barn.

Then, the villagers and customary leaders agreed to move villages because Kampung Munde was considered to bring bad luck. Finally, they moved to a new place called Ngambok. However, in Kampung Ngambok, they did not last long because of pressure from the Dutch colonizers, so they moved to Kigit. Yet, this also did not last long as they were expelled by the government. Finally, they moved again to a new place called Mbong Ndiru and then to Keros. However, the community still referred to Kigit even though the place had been abandoned. In Kampung Keros, they lived for quite a long time, but the community did not develop because health was not guaranteed, many died, and some fled to other villages due to the cruelty of the old and new order governments. Kigit itself, according to the ancestors, means 'to please/cool down.'

The Kigit Indigenous Community has a protected area called Pong Meze. Pong Meze is a protected forest area considered a sacred place used for carrying out customary rituals and is also a protected water source.

Pong Meze is currently not utilized for any activities and has been agreed upon by the indigenous community as a special protected area. The main rules established in Pong Meze are that no trees may be cut down, no one may enter without a clear purpose, no harsh words may be spoken, and no one may walk alone. If someone intentionally cuts down a tree, they will face customary sanctions, and the community believes that those who violate this will receive immediate retribution from the spirits guarding the place. The entire Kigit Indigenous Community has the responsibility to protect Pong Meze. Decision-making related to Pong Meze is conducted through customary deliberation (Neki Weki Sama Tara). The management of Pong Meze is governed by unwritten customary law passed down through generations along with the Kigit Customary Institution with the following structure:

1. Gaen Wongko/ Tua Golo, is the elder in the village responsible for resolving all customary affairs.

2. DOR/ Tua Teno, is the person responsible for managing land affairs, organizing customs, and resolving issues.

3. Gaelo Nembaru/ Biza, is the person responsible for managing each tribe. There are 9 tribes including: Bolong Sokon, Los Lando, Lando Angin, Reba Poka, Sole Poso, Reba Tirun, Sangkal Kia, Reba Nunang.

Pong Meze is protected because the Kigit Indigenous Community has inherited rules passed down through generations to maintain and preserve the cultural heritage of their ancestors. Additionally, Pong Meze is important to protect because it contains natural resources in the form of springs. Of course, by maintaining and protecting these natural resources, the entire Kigit Indigenous Community can utilize these resources whenever they need them.

Moreover, the protection of Pong Meze 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 Meze area: Flora (Manii Wood, Jackfruit, Ampufu, Wuar, Worong, Pinis, Lumu, Wuhar, Worong, Sengon, Redong, Teak Wood) and Fauna (Birds, Deer, Antelope, Wild Boar).

The Kigit 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.