Pulau Dato

The history of Kampong Maridan has two different versions of the story. In the first version, Maridan comes from the name of a prominent person, namely Jabat, with evidence in the form of a grave. Jabat is a figure of the Paser Tribe who is believed to have opened Kampong Maridan during the Dutch colonial era. Initially, Kampong Maridan was the customary territory of the Balik Tribe, but now the Balik Tribe no longer resides in Kampong Maridan. In the second version, it is explained that the name Maridan is taken from a large branch of wood that is upside down in a river. Maridan comes from a combination of the words 'Mori' which means sacred and understood to be undisturbed; and the word 'Dan' which means branch of wood. Over time, the combination of the words Moridan changed to Maridan due to the mixing of languages and dialects. The Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan have a site or area that is protected, the site is called Pulau Dato.

Pulau Dato is an island named dato, where dato itself means grandfather. On Pulau Dato there is an old grave belonging to Dato Sahdan—who was the first person to open a garden on Pulau Dato. This island is covered with hard trees and mangrove trees, and within the area of Pulau Dato there is also Batu Bayo. The Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan believe that Batu Bayo exists because of the occurrence of boi rumo—suddenly the earth became dark and thunder struck causing all plants, animals, and even humans to turn to stone. Boi Rumo occurred due to the anger of a man (husband) towards a woman (wife) who left her home to prepare for a healing ritual in a kingdom, the kingdom referred to is not the Kutai Kartanegara kingdom or the Paser kingdom but a kingdom believed by the Balik tribe to have existed long before the era of ignorance, the man was angry because when he returned from hunting his wife was not at home, he felt jealous that she left without permission, suddenly that anger peaked and the man struck the betung (a musical instrument) using 1 red monkey and his hand (mountain monitor lizard) and then struck the betung and suddenly the world became dark (bow rumo) and the nayu (thunder) came because it heard the sound from the betung and the nayu became angry, when the world became bright again everything turned to stone including the king. Batu Bayo follows the ebb and flow of the sea water, if the sea water recedes Batu Bayo will be visible, if the sea water rises Batu Bayo will still be visible (not submerged). The area of Pulau Dato is a stretch of Mangrove Forest that is utilized for fishing, oysters, and snails.

The initiative to protect this area has existed and is deeply rooted in the minds of the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan. However, the traditional leaders mostly do not yet understand the regulations regarding the protection of protected areas or their customary territories. Therefore, there are external parties that assist in the recognition and protection of the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan, such as AMAN (Alliance of Indigenous Peoples of the Archipelago), PEREMPUAN AMAN, and BRWA (Agency for the Registration of Customary Territories) in 2020 to conduct mapping of customary territories and gather social data of the indigenous community.

The area of Pulau Dato can be utilized by all Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan and other tribes living in Maridan are also allowed to utilize it. There are no prohibitions on utilizing the resources available in the area of Pulau Dato—anyone can take them as long as it is not excessive and with the permission of the tuo kampong (head of customs). This rule is passed down orally and through generations.

The following are the rules that apply in the area of Pulau Dato:

1. No destruction of the mangrove forest and no cutting down of trees in the area of Pulau Dato.

2. No destruction of the mangrove forest.

3. No cutting down of trees in the area of Pulau Dato.

4. No excessive extraction of natural resources around Pulau Dato;

5. It cannot be managed by communities outside the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan and other tribes living in Maridan.

These rules are managed and supervised by a customary institution called Penggugu Adat Kampong Maridan, which consists of:

1. Tuo Kampong, who plays a role in running customary governance, leading discussions (bapekat), regulating the system of life of the indigenous community related to land, fields, gardens, and forests, and deciding customary sanctions.

2. Saronoian, who assists Tuo Kampung in managing the village and invites local indigenous people to attend bapekat and cooperate.

3. Mulung, who plays a role in reciting mantras and performing traditional healing through customary rituals.

4. Penggading, who prepares all ritual equipment and ensures that customary rituals run smoothly.

In addition, the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan have a division of space according to their customs, namely:

1. Alas, is an area of land that is protected to take advantage of its garden reserves. There are various land covers in this area, namely brackish, teak, and pine. Alas is divided into several categories, namely:

• Alas Tuo: An area that has never been cultivated for fields. Alas Tuo is a place to find rattan, a hunting ground, a source of traditional medicinal materials, and materials for building houses. Alas Tuo is interpreted as a forest that is still dense.
• Alas Bengkal: A semi-old area that contains fruit trees and meranti wood. Alas Bengkal will be used again later.
• Alas Mori: A forest that is guarded and never managed by the indigenous community because it is considered sacred.
• Alas Bakau: Mangrove Forest.

2. Lati Burok, is a bush area left from rice fields for 3-4 years.

3. Umo, is an area of garden/field land for planting mountain rice and vegetables.

4. Kebon, is an area of land used for planting rubber and palm.

5. Gentung, is an area of land that functions as a source of springs with collective rights subjects.

6. Kampung, is a settlement area in the region of Kampong Maridan.

The Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan protect the area of Pulau Dato because this area has a history closely related to a respected traditional figure. The management and protection of Pulau Dato contribute to the preservation of the mangrove coastal ecosystem. In addition, it also contributes to the protection of the biodiversity of flora and fauna present within it such as:

• Diverse Types of Flora:
• 1. Bakau Song/Brus (Male Mangrove)
• 2. Bakau Bawe (Female Mangrove)
• 3. Bakau Niri/Boi (Mangrove)
• 4. Bakau Tengere/Tengar (Mangrove)
• 5. Bakau Landing (Mangrove)
• 6. Bakau Setigi (Mangrove)
• 7. Bakau Api-Api (Mangrove)
• 8. Bakau Landro/Berus Song (Mangrove)
• 9. Bakau Landro/Berus Bawe (Mangrove)
• 10. Nipah
• 11. Jeruju
• 12. Perepah/Perepat
• 13. Perangat
• 14. Perepah/Perepat Batu
• Diverse Types of Fauna:
• 1. Bangau Tontong (protected and rare/endangered)
• 2. Penyu Sisik (protected and rare/endangered)
• 3. Pesut Air Asin (protected and rare/endangered)
• 4. Kepiting Bakau
• 5. Udang Putih
• 6. Ikan Kipar
• 7. Ikan Baronang
• 8. Ikan Belanak
• 9. Ikan Kakap Merah
• 10. Ikan Kakap Putih
• 11. Ikan Sumpit
• 12. Ikan Barakuda
• 13. Ikan Tompel
• 14. Ikan Ketamba
• 15. Ikan Trekulu
• 16. Ikan Pari
• 17. Ikan Mayung
• 18. Osi Bakau
• 19. Osi Batu
• 20. Osi Song
• 21. Osi Bawe
• 22. Brungun
• 23. Cempude
• 24. Punpun
• 25. Tengkoang
• 26. Tiram Bakau
• 27. Tiram Besi

The Indigenous People in North Penajam Paser Regency only have a legal basis for recognition and protection at the provincial level. Until now, there has been no legal subject regulating the recognition and protection of Indigenous Peoples in North Penajam Paser Regency, especially the Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan. The Indigenous People of Kampong Maridan are one of the indigenous communities affected by the eviction for the development of the Nusantara Capital located in Sepaku District.