Tana'Ulen Long Kemuat Sungai Polong

According to oral tradition, all Dayak Kenyah tribes originally lived together in the highlands of Apo Da’a between the Iwan and Lurah rivers. As the population grew due to limited agricultural land, the Kenyah tribe began to scatter in different directions, with Kenyah Leppo Ke’ moving from the upper reaches of the Lurah river (Long Bena, Long Apan) through the mountains to the Beraha river. From there, they moved to the Ngiam river (Long Pengayan, Long Lat) and the upper reaches of the Bahau river (Ka Buang, Apau Ping). Meanwhile, the Nyibun tribe's settlement was usually not far from the Leppo Ke’ settlement. If there was a threat from enemies, they would join together into one settlement. Kenyah Leppo Maut moved upstream of Bahau from the Lurah river through the upper reaches of the Nggeng river and the Beraha river.

During the Dutch colonial period, the upper Bahau river area was known as “Tanah Leppo Maut”. The first Dutch expedition to the upper Bahau river occurred in the early 20th century. At that time, Nyibun was a strong sub-tribe, whereas now it has diminished and mixed with other groups. In the past, trade flows from Upper Bahau tended to Sarawak, which was then colonized by the British. The Sa’ban tribe living in the Berau river basin, a right tributary of the Bahau river, believed that the upper Bahau area was part of Sarawak, as all their livestock were brought from the Baram river in Sarawak. The Sa’ban tribe claims to originate from this area between Upper Bahau and Upper Krayan.

In the Upper Bahau region, there are many relics from the Ngorek tribe in the form of stone graves established between 300-400 years ago. Since that time, the Ngorek tribe has left Upper Bahau for the Kayan river. In 1957-1958, most of the Lepo Maut community in Long Kemuat moved and established the Long Alango village. Between 1960-1970, many people moved from Upper Bahau to the Malinau river and Kayan river in search of a better life (school, market, health access). After the expansion of the Pujungan sub-district into 2, Pujungan and Bahau Hulu sub-districts, the Long Uli village community (Kenyah Uma Long and Lepo Ndang tribes) originating from the upper reaches of the Lurah river and the Sa’an river were allowed to establish a village in the Badeng community area on the Bahau river—now merged with the customary territory of Upper Bahau and adhering to the customary regulations of the Greater Upper Bahau Customary Region. The Greater Bahau Hulu Indigenous Community has a protected area passed down through generations, namely: Tana Ulen’.

Tana’ Ulen is a forest area managed by customary law specifically for protection and shared utilization for village events. Tana ulen’ means forbidden land—meaning that forest products cannot be taken individually except 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 high biodiversity utilized to sustain the community's livelihood. Tana Ulen’ of Long Kemuat village is located on the Polong River, Elan Kiri River.

Tana Ulen must not be opened and managed as farmland, plantations, and rice fields. Tana’ Ulen is entirely located in the Greater Bahau Hulu customary territory. 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 regulated by the Greater Bahau Hulu Customary Institution, which includes the following structure:

• a) Greater Customary Leader
• i) Coordinates the Customary Leaders 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 leader.

b) Village Customary Leader

i) Resolves issues that arise in the village;

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

The decision-making mechanism of the Greater Bahau Hulu Customary Institution is conducted through customary meetings at the village and customary territory level attended by village heads and customary leaders; and follows the decisions of the greater customary leader.

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. Additionally, it is utilized for the needs of New Year and Christmas celebrations. All of this utilization is regulated by village customs and the village head.

The utilization and management of Tana’Ulen are regulated in the Customary Regulation of Bahau Hulu Region Number: 07/WLH.ADAT/BH/2016 in Chapter II Article II, which regulates the prohibitions on activities in Tana Ulen’ for anyone, namely:

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

2) It is prohibited to make building materials in Tana Ulen’.

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

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

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

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

7) Selling land in the Tana Ulen’ area

8) Allowing outsiders to open land in Tana Ulen’

9) Opening or making access roads in the Tana Ulen’ area

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

Those who violate will be subject to a fine of:

• 1) One piece of forest fruit Rp. 5,000,000;-
• 2) One piece of Building Wood Rp. 10,000,000;-
• 3) For those who open new land Rp. 10,000,000;-
• 4) Damaging stone/ancient graves Rp. 1,000,000;-
• 5) Fishing Rp. 1,000,000;-
• 6) Hunting animals Rp. 5,000,000;-

7) Village customary sanctions in each Bahau Hulu region.

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 leader/village head.

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

Tana Ulen’ is important to be protected by the Greater Bahau Hulu Indigenous Community 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 utilizing forest products such as traditional medicinal plants, game, fruits, etc. The forest is everything for indigenous people; without the forest, they would suffer because other livelihoods cannot be pursued apart from relying on the forest.

Tana Ulen’ is one of the local wisdoms of the Greater Bahau Hulu Indigenous Community related to forest management and natural resource management that has been practiced for generations. With the 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 Greater Bahau Hulu Indigenous Community can still enjoy the natural resources available in Tana Ulen’. This communal utilization also affects the social and cultural aspects of the Greater Bahau Hulu Indigenous Community—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, fauna, and high-value timber such as:

• Fauna
• 1. Temengngang / Hornbill
• 2. Teba’un / ivory-billed hornbill
• 3. Bertalang / Black-throated Thrush
• 4. Blekotau / Rawa Cicok
• 5. Manok elang / Bulbul
• 6. Payau / deer
• 7. Setong / porcupine
• 8. Buang / bear
• 9. All types of Tiger
• 10. Lutung / Bangat
• 11. Wa’ wa’ / Clouded Monitor
• 12. Dok talun / Shy Mimosa
• 13. Aem / Pangolin
• 14. Atok / fish
• Building Materials
• 1. Ulin wood
• 2. Bele’en Merang wood
• 3. Meranti Kapur wood
• 4. Nyelawai wood
• 5. Laran Babui’ Rutan Sega’ rattan
• 6. Semule wood

The Greater Bahau Hulu Indigenous Community has a legal basis for recognition and protection of customary law communities through Regional Regulation Malinau Number 10 of 2012. Furthermore, the Greater Bahau Hulu Indigenous Community has received recognition and protection of rights through the Regent's Decree No. 189.1/k.335/2019—which establishes and recognizes the Dayak Kenyah tribes (Lepo’ Mau’ut, Lepo’ Ke, Uma’ Lung, Lepo’ Ndang, Nyibun), Dayak Sa’ben, and Dayak Punan residing in Apau Ping Village, Long Berini Village, Long Kemuat Village, Long Alango Village, Long Tebulo Village, and Long Uli Village in Bahau Hulu Sub-district, Malinau Regency as Customary Law Communities in Malinau Regency. It is also recorded that the Tana Ulen’ area of Long Kemuat Village is part of the Kayan Mentarang National Park area.