Tana' Ulen Long Pua, sungai Payang

The customary area 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 area of Pujungan can be seen along the Pujungan River and its tributaries, namely: 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 tribes 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 that comes 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 by the Pujungan River. The Indigenous Community of Greater Pujungan has a traditionally protected area, namely: 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, for example, 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 Pua is located on the Payang River.

Tana Ulen must not be opened and managed as agricultural, plantation, and rice field areas. Tana’ Ulen is entirely located in the large customary area 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 chief and supported by the village head. The customary institution is regulated by the Indigenous Institution of Greater Pujungan, which includes the following structure:

• a) Chief of Greater Custom
• i) Coordinates the Customary Heads of each Village;
• ii) Organizes customary deliberations to make decisions;
• iii) Creates new customary regulations;

iv) Makes final decisions if issues cannot be resolved by the village customary head.

b) Village Customary Head

i) Resolves existing issues in the village;

ii) Secures conditions in each village according to applicable customary regulations.

The decision-making mechanism of the Indigenous Institution of Greater Pujungan is conducted through customary deliberations at the village and customary area level attended by the village head and village chief; and follows the decisions of the chief of greater custom.

The community implements a ‘open ulen and close ulen’ system—meaning there is a time allowed to utilize natural resources in Tana Ulen’ for the common needs of the community. Every year, the community holds harvest festivals and wedding events, natural wealth such as animals and fish in Tana Ulen’ will be utilized—depending on how many events are held in a year. In addition, it is utilized for New Year and Christmas events. All of this utilization is regulated by village custom and the village head.

The utilization and management of Tana’Ulen are regulated in Customary Regulations. The management regulations for Tana Ulen’ Long Pua are as follows:

1) It is prohibited to cut down trees along the footpaths that cross Tana Ulen’.

2) It is prohibited to hunt or fish in Tana Ulen’ without the permission of the village customary head or village chief.

3) It is prohibited to cut down all types of fruit trees in Tana Ulen’.

4) It is prohibited to farm or garden in Tana Ulen’ or open new land.

5) It is prohibited to damage assets such as stone graves or ancient graves.

6) Selling land in the Tana Ulen’ area

7) Allowing outsiders to open land in Tana Ulen’

8) Opening or creating access roads in the Tana Ulen’ area

9) Fishing in the Tana Ulen’ area of other villages.

The provisions applicable to the management area of Tana Ulen’ are:

1) Rivers and Tana Ulen’ of the village have limited utilization, only intended for specific times and events.

2) Tana Ulen’ is not allowed to be disturbed by the community, especially outsiders.

3) The community must maintain the existence of Tana Ulen’ so that it can function sustainably.

4) The utilization of forest products such as: rattan, gahayu, fish, wood, and others in Tana Ulen’ carried out by the community must be with the permission of the customary head/village chief.

5) Researchers entering Tana Ulen’ for research purposes must have the permission of the village custom and donate/contribute to the customary fund.

Tana Ulen’ is important to be protected by the Indigenous Community of Greater Pujungan because they are highly dependent on the forest area. 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 cannot be pursued except by relying on the forest.

Tana Ulen’ is one of the local wisdoms of the Indigenous Community of Greater Pujungan related to forest management and natural resource management that has been carried out traditionally. With the management and regulations that have been applied in a limited and non-exploitative manner, it is hoped that Tana Ulen’ becomes an area that is utilized and functioned sustainably so that the descendants of the Indigenous Community of Greater Pujungan can still enjoy the benefits of the natural resources available in Tana Ulen’. This communal utilization also affects the social and cultural aspects of the Indigenous Community of Greater Pujungan—thus, they can continue to gather and celebrate important days with the natural resources they have preserved.

The wealth of Tana Ulen’ is very potential and abundant—this greatly contributes to the preservation of forest ecosystems and the biodiversity of flora, fauna, and high-value timber such as:

• Fauna
• 1. Temengngang / Hornbill
• 2. Teba’un / ivory-billed hornbill
• 3. Bertalang / Stonechat
• 4. Blekotau / Rawa Cicok
• 5. Manok elang / Bulbul
• 6. Payau / deer
• 7. Setong / porcupine
• 8. Buang / bear
• 9. All types of Tiger
• 10. Lutung / Langur
• 11. Wa’ wa’ / Civet
• 12. Dok talun / Sensitive plant
• 13. Aem / Pangolin
• 14. Atok / fish
• Flora (rattan):
• 1. Uwai’ semole
• 2. Uwai’ seka
• 3. Uwai’ selengan
• 4. Uwai lanya
• 5. Uwai’ kaleng
• 6. Uwai’ abun’
• Building Materials
• 1. Tonak/meranti
• 2. Mit/yellow
• 3. Berepek/stone for sharpening
• 4. Kapon/lime
• 5. Lemaan/lembasung
• 6. Abang/mekabang
• 7. Temalang
• 8. Nyemolay

The Indigenous Community of Greater Pujungan has a legal basis for the recognition and protection of customary law communities through Regional Regulation of Malinau Number 10 of 2012. Furthermore, the Indigenous Community of Greater 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 Pujungan District, Malinau Regency as Customary Law Communities in Malinau Regency.