Tana Kalarat

Tana Kalarat is an area that should not be occupied arbitrarily because its management rules are related to the beliefs of the local community and the customary laws that have been passed down through generations. Tana Kalarat in the Matolang Watukapepi region consists of several sacred areas, namely: Forest, Pasture, Springs, Lake. All components of their life are highly dependent on the presence of these Tana Klarat areas. The indigenous community has a close relationship with Tana Klarat, which is considered a living space that reflects their social and cultural identity, their spiritual meaning, and a place where primary needs (clothing, food, shelter) are available, allowing them to survive, feel sufficient, and prosper in their lives alongside the Tana Klarat areas. The indigenous community has its own understanding of the division of space. Certainly, the indigenous community also applies rules/prohibitions regarding the management of Tana Klarat that must be adhered to by both their internal community and external parties. The following are Tana Klarat areas that have been protected and preserved through generations:

• Forest (Utang)

  The forest is utilized by the community as a place for rituals, to gather wood for building materials, branches for cooking, a place to gather medicinal plants, and as a sacred place. The forest areas in the Matolang Watukapepi customary territory include:

  • 1) Halakadu
  • 2) Tetumanu
  • 3) Laitalarung
  • Pasture (Paddangu)

  The pasture is an area used for grazing and a source of greenery for livestock. The pasture is utilized by the community for grazing livestock, a place to pull/get grass, some places are considered sacred, and as a ritual site.

• Springs (Matawai)

  Springs are utilized by the community as a source of drinking water for humans and animals, irrigation, and as a ritual place. The spring areas in the Matolang Watukapepi customary territory include:

  • 1) Laitalarung
  • 2) Lakanoru
  • 3) Halakadu
  • 4) Tetumanu
  • 5) Malili Hohu
  • 6) Lailama
  • 7) Laitarung
  • 8) Hiliwolu
  • 9) Utalolu
  • 10) Kanoru
  • Lake Rota (Pangaha)

  The lake is a large body of water surrounded by land on all sides. The lake is utilized by the indigenous community as a place to catch fish, a drinking place for animals, and as a ritual site. This ritual is called the Pahomba Ritual, held every 50 years with the aim of concluding all rituals/animals sacrificed in the ritual to honor the animals that have been sacrificed over the last 50 years.

The Matolang Watukapepi indigenous community has full utilization rights over the management of Tana Klarat. Its ownership is communal, meaning that the entire Matolang Watukapepi indigenous community is responsible for managing and preserving Tana Klarat. The main rules applied in maintaining the Tana Klarat area include prohibiting arbitrary logging/entry into the forest, prohibiting burning pasture land, and prohibiting pollution of the lake.

By preserving the Tana Klarat area, the Matolang Watukapepi indigenous community can continue to live in harmony with nature, utilize natural resources for daily needs, and continue to preserve rituals that have been carried out through generations in the Tana Klarat area. These efforts lead the community to a peaceful and prosperous life. Another important aspect is that by preserving the Tana Klarat area, they can continue to build and maintain their relationship with their ancestors and pray for blessings for their lives.

The management of the Tana Klarat area is fully taken over by customary law, even though they do not yet have a structured customary institution, they continue to implement customary rules according to what their ancestors taught and have been sustained until now. The following are the rules/prohibitions that apply in the Tana Klarat area:

1. Forest (Utang)

1) No arbitrary entry into the customary forest if it does not comply with the time set in customary rules.

2) Men and Women must not meet in the forest (dating in the forest).

3) No joking, cursing, or speaking harshly in the forest.

4) No damaging the forest.

5) No arbitrary logging; it must be done with the applicable customary ritual.

2. Pasture (Paddangu)

1) Men and Women must not meet in the Pasture (dating).

2) No joking, cursing, or speaking harshly in the Pasture.

3) No damaging the Pasture.

4) No burning land.

3. Springs (Matawai)

1) No cutting wood around the spring location;

2) No killing snakes found around the spring location;

3) No immoral acts around the spring location;

4) No bathing directly in the spring location.

4. Lake Rota (Pangaha)

1) No joking, cursing, or speaking harshly.

2) No damaging.

The indigenous community maintains the Tana Klarat area because they feel a close relationship with Tana Klarat, which is considered a living space that reflects their social and cultural identity, their spiritual meaning, and a place where primary needs (clothing, food, shelter) are available, allowing them to survive, feel sufficient, and prosper in their lives alongside the Tana Klarat areas. In addition, forest protection greatly contributes to the preservation of forest ecosystems and biodiversity. By protecting Tana Klarat, the community can access high-value flora and fauna such as:

• • Building Materials:
  • 1. Manera
  • 2. Injuatu
  • 3. Linu
  • 4. Kiru Mata Manu
  • 5. Horanu
  • 6. Labung
  • 7. Woa Nunu
  • 8. Langgappa
  • 9. Halai
  • 10. La Ngaha
  • 11. Aru Loku
  • 12. Tumbu Ndaba
  • 13. Kehi Karoru
  • 14. Kondu Rawa
  • 15. La Panca
  • 16. Kamestu
  • 17. Local Bamboo

  18. Building ropes (Panetang, Gai, Uwi, Kaci Kora, Maninu Wai, Palahang, Kambu Lawora, Lolu Litang.

• Medicinal Plants:
• 1. Kuta Kalara
• 2. Sandalwood
• 3. Tada e Bara
• 4. Tada e Metung (Alak)
• 5. La Ngichu
• 6. Tada Linu
• 7. Tada Rita
• 8. Halay
• 9. Hambola
• 10. Kapa Ikut
• Vegetables:
• 1. Rau Karunggut
• 2. Rau Hua
• 3. Katedu Kauku
• 4. Rau Paku/ Pakis
• 5. Karunggu Mara
• 6. Ka Maibung
• 7. Ka Nganik Loku
• 8. Forest Chili
• Root Vegetables:
• 1. Luci (Forest Yam)
• 2. Litang
• 3. Ui
• 4. Langgod
• 5. Wia
• 6. Kar
• Fauna:
• 1. Ongka (Kalauku)
• 2. Monkeys (Mbotu)
• 3. Forest Batai (Wai Marut)
• 4. Deer (Ruta)
• 5. Civet (La Mbaku)
• 6. Wild Cat (Mio Marut)
• 7. Wild Chicken (Man Tata)
• 8. Dove (Rawa)
• 9. Nur Bird (Karak)
• 10. Cockatoo (Kaka)
• 11. Bird of Paradise
• 12. Monitor Lizard (La Wora)
• 13. Bat (Pa Riri)
• 14. Python (Mandu Kabota)
• 15. Snake
• 16. Flying Snake (Takka Hawurung)
• 17. Black Snake (Kataru Morru)
• 18. Eel (Canna)
• 19. Shrimp (Kurang)
• 20. Crab (Karanggu)
• 21. Catfish
• 22. Bitter Fish (Ikan Paita)
• 23. Kambita

There is currently no legal basis regulating the recognition and protection of indigenous peoples in East Sumba Regency. Indigenous communities hope for official recognition from the government in the form of Regional Regulations on the Recognition and Protection of East Sumba Indigenous Law Communities, Decree of the Regent on the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Law Communities, and Decree on Customary Forests. These efforts are carried out through cooperative collaboration and participation between indigenous communities and organizations outside the indigenous community that assist in the recognition process. All these efforts are expected to achieve the community's main goal of protecting the areas managed by the community to remain sustainable.