Sungai Keramat

The Dayak Simpakng Indigenous Community, often referred to as Dayak Simpang, is one of the sub-ethnic groups of the Dayak people generally residing in the Simpang Hulu and Simpang Dua sub-districts, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan. A small portion of them is also found at the border of Ketapang Regency and Sanggau Regency, specifically along the river basins of Banjur, Semandang, Baram, and Kualatn. Based on common stories found, the Dayak Simpakng ethnic group originates from Tanah Tamba Rawang in Sukadana, migrating to Tanah Simpakng/Banua Simpakng. The political changes in the Sukadana Kingdom and the spread of Islam led the Dayak Simpakng people to migrate en masse to Banua Simpakng for several reasons, such as security considerations and interest in the natural potential of Banua Simpakng. The second wave of migration was caused by coercion for the payment of blasting taxes due to the cooperation between the Tanjungpura Kingdom and the Dutch Company. The discovery of the location known as Banua Simpakng was accidental.

Then, regarding the history of the indigenous community in Mekar Raya Village itself, it is told that during the Matan kingdom, there was a figure named Ria Niti. Ria Niti was a highly influential figure among the Dayak Simpakng at that time. Ria Niti invited his close associates to hunt in the area now called Banjur (which became the center of government for Mekar Raya Village). During the hunt, Ria Niti and his close associates found large fish that had not been utilized for so long that they were covered in moss, and wild boars that were abundant with rattan growing on their shoulders. With the abundance of these resources, Ria Niti returned to Tamak Rawang (Sukadana) to invite other friends and family to visit Banjur and decided to settle and build a village, which has continued through his descendants to this day. The name Mekar Raya is an abbreviation: ME, which stands for Merangin; KAR, which stands for Karab; and Ya, which stands for Baya; (Merangin, Karap, and Baya are the names of the hamlets in Mekar Raya Village).

Before it became a village, Mekar Raya Village was known as Kampung Banjur Karap. It began to form into a village in 1996, led by the village head Mr. Adoria Niti until the year 2000. From 2000-2005, it was led by Mr. Keike, from 2005-2015 by Absalon Nunai, and from mid-2015 until now (2023) by Mr. Toni. Mekar Raya Village used to be divided into five (5) hamlets: Dusun Baya Keranji, which is now Desa Batu Daya, Dusun Kembra, which is now Desa Kemora, Dusun Merangin, which is now Desa Kampar Sebomban, Dusun Banjur, and Dusun Karab, which is still one village, namely Mekar Raya Village.

The Dayak Simpakng community in Mekar Raya Village has areas that are managed and protected through generations due to their natural resource potential, namely: Tembawang, Sacred Forest, Water Sources Berugak and Senibung, Bukit Semugo (Tiger Habitat/ Ancestor Manifestation), Sacred River (Tanikng, Bejangkar, Amun Tuda), and Mount Timur (Maria Cave and Bangka Waterfall). The Sacred River consists of three points: Taning, Bejangkar, and Amun Tuda. This sacred river is not to be fished; if someone violates this, they will face customary sanctions (punishment according to customary rules). This place is used for customary rituals, a place to seek healing for diseases that are difficult to treat medically. However, this river can be used for taking water, bathing, and other uses. This river is sacred because it is utilized as a natural breeding ground for all living things in the river, such as fish, so in this specific location, fish cannot be taken, but once outside the designated sacred area, fish can be taken by all residents.

The sacred river area is protected and managed with the main rule that fishing is not allowed in the vicinity of the river area. However, this river can be utilized by the entire community for taking water, bathing, and other uses. The management of the managed and protected areas is the responsibility of the customary institution and the village authorities. The customary institution in Mekar Raya Village consists of Demung as the customary leader and Lemaku as a witness, as well as the Village Shaman who acts as the person responsible for the sanctified area—each sacred area has its own key holder to safeguard the location. Currently, the regulations established for each managed and protected area are only passed down orally and through generations. However, there are also plans to draft Village Regulations for managing the protected areas.

The protection and management of the Sacred River (Taning, Bejangkar, Amuntuda) contribute to the preservation of the river ecosystem and the biodiversity within it. Through the local knowledge of the community, they sanctify the area of the river due to its relation to their ritual practices while also preserving the fish resources within it to ensure they are not taken and allowed to breed naturally. In addition to supporting cultural and spiritual values, this protection practice is also related to the ecological functions of a sanctified area. Some protected fauna in the river area include: turtles and many fish that are consumed when outside the sacred river, namely Uceng fish, Nyalian, Banta, Wader Cakul, Catfish, Hampala, Sili, Batik Sili, Baung, Small Angat Catfish, Black Snail, Turtles, Snakes, Monitor Lizards, Toman, and Gabus.

The Dayak Simpakng Indigenous Community in Mekar Raya Village does not yet have specific regulations governing the recognition and protection of rights or the protection of community-managed areas. There is a legal basis that has been established regarding the recognition and protection of Indigenous Law Communities in Ketapang Regency, namely through Ketapang Regency Regulation No. 8 of 2020 concerning the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Law Communities in Ketapang Regency and the Decree of the Regent of Ketapang No. 589/DISPMPD-B/2021 concerning the Committee for Indigenous Law Communities.