Tana' Ulen Long Aran, Sungai Puling

The customary territory of Pujungan has been inhabited for generations by the Kenyah Tribe (Uma’ Alim, Uma’ Lasan, Oma’ Long, Bakung, Badeng), Dayak Punan, and Dayak Kayan (Pua’). The history of their arrival in the large customary territory of Pujungan can be seen along the Pujungan River and its tributaries, namely: the Bum River or Lidem River. Evidence of their existence at that time is marked by the presence of cave graves (lizang bila) as historical evidence of the Kenyah tribe Uma Alim, Uma Lasan, and Uma Long who have lived in this area the longest. Uma Baka, which no longer has a village in the Pujungan area, once resided upstream of Pujungan (the plains between the Jelet and Pujungan rivers). As for the origins of the Kenyah tribe from the upstream part originating from the Iwan River and Lurah River (the Badeng and Penan Benalui tribes originally from Malaysia), they then moved to the area where they still reside along the Pujungan River. The Great Indigenous Community of Pujungan has a traditionally protected area, namely: Tana Ulen’.

Tana Ulen

Tana’ Ulen is a forest area managed by customary law specifically for protection and collective utilization for village events. Tana ulen’ means forbidden land—meaning that forest products cannot be taken individually except when done collectively for the common good, such as hunting land and water animals for the needs of the entire community in one village. Tana’ Ulen is a jungle or primary forest area with a high level of biodiversity that is utilized to sustain the community's livelihood. Tana Ulen’ of Long Aran Village is located on the Puling River.

Tana Ulen must not be opened and managed as agricultural land, plantations, or rice fields. Tana’ Ulen is entirely located within the large customary territory of Pujungan. In terms of ownership, Tana’ Ulen is a customary right in each village with specific regulations to ensure that the area remains protected. The management of Tana’ Ulen is regulated by the customary leader and supported by the village head. The customary institution is organized by the Great Indigenous Institution of Pujungan, which includes the following structure:

• • Great Customary Leader
  • • Coordinates the Customary Leaders of each Village;
    • Organizes customary deliberations to make decisions;
    • Creates new customary regulations;

  • Makes the final decision if issues cannot be resolved by the village customary leader.
  • Village Customary Leader
  • • Resolves issues that arise in the village;

  • Secures conditions in each village according to applicable customary regulations.

The community implements a ‘open ulen and close ulen’ system—meaning there are times allowed to utilize natural resources in Tana Ulen’ for the common needs of the community.

Management Regulations of Long Aran Puling River

• It is prohibited to cut down trees along the footpath that crosses Tana Ulen’.
• It is prohibited to hunt or fish in Tana Ulen’ without permission from the village customary leader or village head.
• It is prohibited to cut down all types of fruit trees in Tana Ulen’.
• It is prohibited to farm or garden in Tana Ulen’ or open new land.
• It is prohibited to damage assets such as stone graves or ancient graves.
• It is prohibited to sell land in the Tana Ulen’ area.
• It is prohibited to allow outsiders to open land in Tana Ulen’.
• It is prohibited to open or create access roads in the Tana Ulen’ area.
• It is prohibited to fish in the Tana Ulen’ area of other villages.

Tana Ulen’ is important to be protected by the Great Indigenous Community of Pujungan because they are highly dependent on forest areas. For them, the forest is a legacy from their ancestors that must be preserved and protected. The forest is a place for farming (shifting cultivation), gardening, and utilizing forest products such as traditional medicinal plants, game animals, fruits, etc. The forest is everything for the indigenous community; without the forest, they would suffer because other livelihoods have not been developed aside from relying on the forest.

The Great Indigenous Community of Pujungan has a legal basis for the recognition and protection of customary law communities through Regional Regulation Malinau Number 10 of 2012. Then, the Great Indigenous Community of Pujungan has received recognition and protection of rights through the Regent's Decree No. 660.2/k.197/2020—which establishes and recognizes the Dayak Kenyah Tribe (Uma’ Alim, Uma’ Lasan, Oma’ Long, Bakung, Badeng), Dayak Punan, and Dayak Kayan (Pua’) who inhabit Long Bena, Long Belaka, Long Peleran, Long Pujungan, Long Aran, Long Lame, Long Ketaman, and Long Uli in the Pujungan District of Malinau Regency as a Customary Law Community in Malinau Regency.