Tana' Ulen Long Pujungan Sungai Ahan

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 area of Pujungan can be seen along the Pujungan River and its tributaries, namely: the Bum River or Lidem River. Evidence of their presence at that time is marked by the existence 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 River and Pujungan). As with 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 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 use 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 area or primary forest with a high level of biodiversity that is utilized to sustain the community's livelihood. Tana Ulen’ of Long Pujungan is located on the Ahan River on the Right Upstream of the Bahau River, and the Paku River, Panen River, and Ketunai River, on the Left Upstream of the Buhau River.

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

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

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

b) Village Customary Chief

i) Resolves issues that arise in the village;

ii) Ensures conditions in each village are secure according to applicable customary regulations.

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

The community applies a system of ‘open ulen and close ulen’—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. Additionally, it is utilized for the needs of New Year and Christmas events. All of this utilization is regulated by the village customary law and the village head.

The utilization and management of Tana’Ulen are regulated in Customary Regulations. The management regulations for Tana Ulen’ Long Pujungan 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 chief or village head.

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.

Furthermore, the customary regulations governing the utilization of Tana Ulen’ products in Long Pujungan Village are as follows:

Rattan

1) The collection of sega rattan in Tana Ulen' can be carried out by the village community after a customary meeting or adat meeting.

2) It is not permitted to collect sega rattan in Tana Ulen' for personal use, except when the village customary meeting allows for personal purposes.

3) The collection of segah rattan in Tana Ulen' has a specific time limit.

4) Collecting segah rattan after the specified time is not permitted.

5) After the rattan collection period in Tana Ulen' ends, the rattan will be allowed to grow for 2 to 3 years before it can be collected again.

6) It is not permitted to cut young rattan, or rattan that is not yet ready to be cut.

Building Wood

1) The collection of building wood in Tana Ulen' is very limited and can only be done by the village community on certain woods such as Benato.

Agarwood

1) The collection of agarwood in Tana Ulen' can be done by the village community at any time, but this only applies to the Long Pujungan village community.

2) For village community members who go to collect agarwood in Tana Ulen', it is not permitted to cut down small trees and trees that do not have content.

Game Animals

1) Hunting animals in the Tana Ulen' area was not allowed in the past if the purpose of hunting was for personal interest.

2) People may go hunting in Tana Ulen' if it is for public purposes such as a celebration for a newborn child, wedding celebrations, New Year celebrations, and major village events.

Fish

1) Catching fish in Tana Ulen' using poison can be done if there is a celebration in the village, and it is done once a year and only part of the river is poisoned, and must involve all villagers.

2) If someone goes to poison fish in Tana Ulen' without the knowledge of the community and does not involve the villagers, then that person will be fined by Custom.

Farming

1) Making farms in Tana Ulen' Long Pujungan is permitted by customary law with the condition that it must not exceed the designated areas.

2) The areas in Tana Ulen' Long Pujungan that are allowed to be farmed are from the mouth of the Ahan River to the Batu Apui River on both sides of the Ahan River.

3) Making farms beyond the designated boundaries is not permitted.

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

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

2) Tana Ulen’ must not 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 chief/village head.

5) Researchers entering Tana Ulen’ for research purposes must have the permission of the village customary law and provide donations/contributions 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 harvesting 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 yet been developed besides relying solely 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 management and regulations that have been applied in a limited and non-exploitative manner, it is hoped that Tana Ulen’ will be an area that is utilized and functioned sustainably so that the descendants of the Indigenous Community of Greater Pujungan can still enjoy 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 be united 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 and fauna and valuable timber such as:

• Fauna
• 1. Temengngang / Enggang
• 2. Teba’un / enggeng gading
• 3. Bertalang / Murai Batu
• 4. Blekotau / Cicok Rawo
• 5. Manok elang / kutilang
• 6. Payau / rusa
• 7. Setong / landak
• 8. Buang / beruang
• 9. All types of Tiger
• 10. Lutung / Bangat
• 11. Wa’ wa’ / Kelabet
• 12. Dok talun / Malu-malu
• 13. Aem / Trenggiling
• 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/kuning
• 3. Berepek/batu pencai
• 4. Kapon/kapur
• 5. Lemaan/lembasung
• 6. Abang/mekabang
• 7. Temalang
• 8. Nyemolay

The Indigenous Community of Greater Pujungan has a legal basis for recognition and protection of customary law communities through Regional Regulation 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), the Dayak Punan Tribe, 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 the Customary Law Community in Malinau Regency.