Sungai Kebebu

The history of the residents of Dusun Kebebu, Desa Nanga Kebebu or Pasak Kebebu can be recorded based on the stories of community figures, such as the late Antol, the late Saleh, the late Itot, and H. Saharudin as told to Yusli. All these figures have similar stories. The traces of the Nanga Kebebu Community can be recorded from the settlements of Meruden and Kenual. These two settlements are better known as Kampong Katab, and the people living in that area are referred to as the Katab Kebahan or Kebahan Totok people. The last leader of Kampong Katab was named Mas Anom or Raja Katab or Raja Anyong. Kampong Katab was abandoned by Raja Anom and all his people due to an attack from outside forces. However, it cannot be confirmed whether they were attacked by another tribe or the Dutch East Indies Government. Nevertheless, evidence of the attack, in the form of boats, can still be seen in the Popai River, downstream from Kampong Katab. Evidence of the existence of Kampong Katab can be seen from the complex of graves estimated to cover an area of 2000 m2 in the form of stone tombstones. The evidence of the settlement itself is spread over a flat area.

It is estimated that the settlements lined the banks of the Melawi River from Katab to the upstream of the Pantong River, estimated to be more than 1 (one) Kilometer (KM). This area is part of the AKKM Kelokak Kebubu. The migration of Raja Katab and some of the people to Kemantan Mulung (now Dusun Mulung) and some others to Laman Silang (downstream of Tanjung Arak on the right side of the Melawi River). In Laman Silang, it was led by Gani who held the title Pati Krama. The settlement in Laman Silang was burned, and they moved across the river (now known as Tanjung Arak) and the Denis village (across from Kampung Nanga Kebebu today). While residing in Denis, the arrival of scholars from Minangkabau and Banjar suggested moving to the other side (the current Kebebu settlement). This was because the Denis settlement was in a lowland area that often flooded. This suggestion was reinforced by the reason that the area was guarded by two dragons. It is interpreted as being flanked by two rivers that meet at one spring point, namely the Pantung River and the Meyolong River. The program for relocating the settlement was led by Gani's grandson or Anak Taha-Ronot named Makrub. This Denis settlement is part of the AKKM Kelokak Kebubu, which has many local fruits and a burial complex. Makrub opened the Kebebu settlement, and after settling in Kebebu, the village leader was Karim with the title Kroti. It is estimated that Kroti's leadership marked the transition from a kingdom to the Unitary State of the Republic of Indonesia (NKRI).

The area managed and protected in a hereditary manner by the Indigenous People of Katab Kebahan Kebebu located in Desa Nanga Kebebu includes Kelokak Kebebu, Kebebu River, and Kebebu Lake. Kelokak Kebubu is an area of forest containing timber and fruit trees. Kelokak Kebubu is a hereditary legacy seen as a symbol of wealth and glory. This area encompasses the banks of the Melawi River, its tributaries, and the Melawi River itself. Furthermore, the protected area includes the river utilized as a transportation route, a place for rituals, the livelihood of river fishermen, and a source of water needs. Meanwhile, the lake is utilized for irrigation, tourism, and as a place for activities.

Kelokak Kebubu is owned individually and communally. If it is individually owned, it means it can only be utilized by individuals and their descendants. Individual ownership can be inherited, while the land of kelokak is difficult to sell because land ownership does not necessarily equate to tree ownership, but trees can be sold. Then, communal ownership means it can be utilized by everyone and cannot be sold. Rivers and lakes are areas of communal ownership that cannot be sold. This management and protection are supervised by a managing institution called Pasak Kebebu. The following are some rules that apply in the protected area, such as:

1. Sida is local wisdom that explains that as long as the concerned party is within the lineage, they can utilize it as long as they can explain their lineage, specifically for the utilization of fruit or not related to the area.
2. Tanah Mali is local wisdom that prohibits the use of certain areas, during a period and applies to certain individuals.
3. Gunung Timbul is a prohibition against cutting down or damaging areas belonging to people or animals without the knowledge of the owners or the community. This can incur sanctions with a certain value or equivalent to the damage.
4. Langkah Lalu. If there is a newcomer who stays overnight in the village without reporting to the village head, then the concerned party and the host must pay the customary fee of langkah lalu amounting to 1 real per gold.
5. Kesupan, which refers to attitudes and behaviors in social interactions that must uphold etiquette.
6. Pemali Nuba, which is the prohibition of poisoning the river has dual meanings and functions. First, it is prohibited to catch fish and to maintain environmental sustainability because generally, the community has houses built on the riverbanks. The water is used for bathing, drinking, cooking, and washing. Poisoning the river can poison fish and is likely to poison humans. Those who do this, whether intentionally or not, are required to pay a customary penalty of 20 real per gold.
7. Nokap Omuk, which is customary law regulating the opening or cultivation of land. It is prioritized not to occupy someone else's territory unless there is an agreement between both parties.
8. Pembakaran Huma/Ladang. Before burning, the landowner must inform family or neighbors who have gardens, crops, and others around the field that will be burned. They must create firebreaks (fire safety barriers) and fire extinguishing equipment. If a fire occurs and causes the burning of someone else's land or garden, a customary law of 6 real per gold and compensation for the burned crops will be imposed.

The management and protection of protected areas (fruit gardens, rivers, and lakes) contribute to the preservation of ecosystems and the biodiversity within them. Communities can gain economic benefits, such as planting rice, corn, vegetables, plantation crops, and local fruits. As for the plants that have produced, such as durian, langsat, semulan, lengkeng, kemantan, various types of bangga, gandaria, jengkol, rambutan, rambai, and other local fruits, they are sold in the market. This includes various types of fish that are also commercially sourced from the Melawi River and its tributaries, such as: Boyuk River, Ipuh River, Belindak River, Rangkap River, Popai River, Kebebu River, and Pantong River. These rivers have specific locations that become fish ecosystems. They are named: Lengkong Boyuk, Lengkong Paloh, Batu Tungkok, Lengkong Kebebu, and Batu Belidak. The community protects the river and lake areas through fishing activities that do not endanger the river ecosystem or traditional fishing methods, such as: fishing, nets, fish traps, tajur, takan, unak, tekalak, nikup, pelabuh, sentaban, melampam, nyimpar, nimbak, mansai, and others.

The Indigenous People of Katab Kebahan in Dusun Mulung, Lengkong, and Semadin do not yet have a legal basis or specific regulations governing the recognition and protection of rights or the protection of community-managed areas. The Rimak Birapati area is located within the HGU concession of PT Inhutani III Nanga Pinoh.