Tana' Ulen Long Pujungan Sungai Ba

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: 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 now no longer has a village in the Pujungan area, once resided upstream of Pujungan (the plateau between the Jelet River and Pujungan). As for the origin 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 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 Pujungan is located on the Ba River.

Tana Ulen must not be opened and managed as farmland, plantations, and rice fields. 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 institution is regulated by the Great Indigenous Institution of Pujungan, whose structure includes:

• a) Great Customary Chief
• 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) Secures conditions in each village according to applicable customary regulations.

The decision-making mechanism of the Great Indigenous Institution of Pujungan is carried out through customary meetings at the village and customary territory level attended by village chiefs and heads; and follows the decisions of the great customary chief.

The community applies a system of 'open ulen and close ulen'—meaning there are times 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, and natural wealth such as animals and fish found 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 customs and the village head.

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

1) Cutting down trees along the footpaths crossing Tana Ulen’ is prohibited.

2) Hunting or fishing in Tana Ulen’ without permission from the village customary chief or village head is prohibited.

3) Cutting down all types of fruit trees in Tana Ulen’ is prohibited.

4) Farming or gardening in Tana Ulen’ or opening new land is prohibited.

5) Damaging assets such as stone graves or ancient graves is prohibited.

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) The river 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 chief/village head.

5) Researchers entering Tana Ulen’ for research purposes must have the permission of the village customs and make donations/contributions to the customary fund.

Tana Ulen’ is important to be protected by the Great Indigenous Community of Pujungan because they are highly dependent on the forest area. For them, the forest is a heritage from their ancestors that must be preserved and protected. The forest is a place for farming (shifting cultivation), gardening, and obtaining forest products such as traditional medicine, game animals, fruits, etc. The forest is everything for the indigenous community; without the forest, they will suffer because other livelihoods cannot yet be pursued besides relying solely on the forest.

Tana Ulen’ is one of the local wisdoms of the Great Indigenous Community of 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 Great Indigenous Community of Pujungan can still enjoy the natural resources available in Tana Ulen’. This communal utilization also affects the social and cultural aspects of the Great Indigenous Community of 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 biodiversity of flora and 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 carving
• 4. Kapon/lime
• 5. Lemaan/lembasung
• 6. Abang/mekabang
• 7. Temalang
• 8. Nyemolay

The Great Indigenous Community of Pujungan has a legal basis for the recognition and protection of customary law communities through Malinau Regional Regulation 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), the Dayak Punan Tribe, and the Dayak Kayan Tribe (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.