Pong Sengit - Golo Munde

Golo Munde comes from two words: Golo which means Mountain and Munde is the name of a place. This place is inhabited by several Tribes. The ancestors always chose to live in Golo (mountain) to avoid enemies during wars or territorial disputes. Then, due to the establishment of a Protected Forest area by the Dutch Government, the community moved far from the Golo Munde Protected Forest to Ngambok Wae Kor, but there was an order to move again to a place they named Kampung Naru and decided to settle there. Their first ancestor was named Wau from the Naru Tribe. The Naru Tribe was the first to inhabit this area, thus they are referred to as the tribe of the customary land holders known as Dor or Tua Teno Naru. After the Naru Tribe, the Loge Tribe followed, who lived in this area with a different origin story. At that time, the Loge Tribe came from Loge and settled in Laban Ndeta, now known as Ninto. There is no kinship or acquaintance between the Naru Tribe and the Loge Tribe. Besides the Loge Tribe, there is also a tribe called Weong.

Functions and Roles of the Three Tribes

• Naru Tribe as the customary land holders (More Luan Lalo Walu Kalok) because they sustain many people through the land or what is referred to as “Tanah Nggami pe more ami”. The Naru Tribe is called Wina or the Wife of the customary leader in the smallest area.
• Loge Tribe as the leaders of a broader area, thus called Rona or husband. The term is referred to as “Pohgo Anak Do Dading Riwu” which means leading many people in the government area called the Loge Adak Community.
• Weong Tribe, is the descendant assigned to maintain the security of the village known as “Berambang”.

The Golo Munde Indigenous Community has a protected area passed down through generations called Pong Sengit. Pong Sengit is a forbidden forest area or a sacred site, containing a spring area, and is utilized as a reserve land area. The area around Mpong Sengit also has natural resources that can be used as building materials and traditional medicines.

Pong Sengit 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 Sengit are no cutting down trees, no entering without a clear purpose, no using harsh words, and no walking alone. If someone intentionally cuts down a tree, they will face customary sanctions, and the community believes that those who violate will receive immediate retribution from the spirits that guard the place. The entire Golo Munde 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 regulated in unwritten customary law passed down through generations along with the Kigit Customary Institution with the following structure:

• Gae Natar, is the elder in the village responsible for resolving all customary matters.
• DOR/Tua Teno, is the person responsible for managing land affairs, organizing customs, and resolving issues.
• Biza, is the person responsible for managing each tribe.
• Gae Ulu Le Rewa Ili, is the person responsible for household issues.

Pong Sengit is protected because the Golo Munde Indigenous Community has rules that have been passed down through generations to maintain and preserve their ancestral cultural heritage. Additionally, Pong Sengit is important to protect because it contains natural resources in the form of springs. Certainly, by preserving and protecting these natural resources, the entire Golo Munde Indigenous Community can utilize these resources whenever they need them.

Furthermore, the protection of Pong Sengit 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 Sengit area:

• Flora: Munting wood, dalok, maras, pate damuh, wafung, nazar, ngancar, ampufu, mahogany, sengon, bulangan, nito, tajang, ara, kipo, waek.
• Fauna: Birds, Deer, Barking Deer, Wild Boar.