Temawang

The Dayak community in Semandang Kanan Village has a strong connection to their ancestral land and forests since ancient times. This story begins with a figure named Keminting who once lived in the Muguk Sukam area. However, his home was consumed by fire, forcing him to move to Batang Poring. Because the area was difficult to make a living in and still under the Dutch colonial rule, which was full of risks, Keminting eventually settled in Selantak Dalam.

Keminting married Kukuk and had two children, namely Gaduh and Banya. From this lineage, a large family developed that settled in the area. During the Japanese occupation, the indigenous people faced injustice as the elderly who could not work were often killed. From the lineage of Gaduh was born a figure with high spiritual abilities known as Panglima Buyung.

Panglima Buyung is believed to have extraordinary powers—able to fly, disappear, and master martial arts. With his abilities, he set off alone to Ketapang, the Japanese army's headquarters, and succeeded in killing their war leader. His head was brought back to the village and became a symbol of victory in a traditional ritual. Although he left no descendants due to spiritual prohibitions, the Dayak knowledge and wisdom he possessed were passed on to Lintam, who was then given a traditional title as Panglima Lintam. This story became a historical milestone and a spiritual foundation that strengthened the community's bond with their ancestral land and forests.

As times progressed, the Semandang Kanan Village community faced new challenges. The presence of external companies, such as palm oil plantations and bauxite mines, attempted to convert the forest into commercial land. This threat raised deep concerns because the forest is not only a source of livelihood but also a living space, identity, and cultural heritage from their ancestors.

The local community agreed to protect their forest area. With the support of the Tropenbos Indonesia Foundation, they initiated the Community Managed Conservation Area (AKKM) as a collective effort to defend their customary territory from various pressures. This initiative aims to:

• Uphold customary law and respect the wisdom of ancestors.
• Support sustainable livelihoods.
• Preserve and enhance natural resources.
• Conserve culture, traditions, and ancestral knowledge.
• Protect certain species and biodiversity in general.

The areas considered most valuable by the community are proposed to be included in the ICCA (Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas) scheme as a form of concrete action to gain broader recognition.

Tembawang, Temawang, and Kampokng are areas of the Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda Customary Forest dominated by natural products such as fruits like durian, pekawai, mentawak, kanaria, cempedak, sine, kapol, asam paoh, Kalimantan tamarind, jengkol, petai, rangkong, dara, selipik, temperanang, manggis, kemayao, remayong, and lingsum. In addition, there are medicinal plants such as bajakah, patar mali, pasak bumi, ginseng, and dragon scale, as well as various types of vegetables such as cucumber shoots, peringgi shoots, spinach, water spinach, fern, keriat, and berudang. These fruits and forest products can be consumed or sold to meet daily needs. This area is strictly guarded by the community and cannot be arbitrarily cut down.

The community recognizes several terms related to Tembawang. Kampokng temawang is a village that has been inhabited, is small in size, and is now uninhabited. Tembawang itself is a former settlement marked by the presence of fruit trees. Meanwhile, Kampokng durian is a collection of large fruit-bearing plants that are publicly or communally owned, especially fruit orchards from the past that are uninhabited. This fruit village is collectively owned without having to come from one lineage, and in the past, everyone who visited usually left something, one of which was planting a tree. Tembawang is also not allowed to be sold.

The main function of AKKM in the Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda community, one of which is Temawang, is to maintain water sources and serve as a living space for the indigenous community that includes settlements, sacred forests, tembawang, and habitats for flora and fauna. The community utilizes clean water from this area for daily needs, collects non-timber forest products such as honey, resin, firewood, and utilizes the results of tembawang in the form of fruits for both consumption and sale. In addition to supporting basic needs, this forest also plays an important role in traditional rituals and maintaining ecosystem balance based on local wisdom.

Management of the area is carried out generationally by the Customary Community Institution (LMD) led by the Temonggong (customary head). This institution functions to regulate the spatial planning of customary territory, resolve customary issues, and make decisions through the Customary Deliberation (Musdat) held annually with the local community. The community has the right and responsibility to maintain this AKKM area, as it is considered an ancestral heritage that not only has historical value but also sustains the lives of future generations.

In maintaining the area, there are customary prohibitions that apply, such as cutting down trees without permission or damaging sacred places. These rules are passed down orally from generation to generation. If someone violates the rules, they will be subject to customary penalties in the form of fines ranging from 2 real to 8 real according to applicable provisions. Through this management system, significant benefits are felt by the community: clean water needs are met, sources of livelihood are available, traditional rituals can continue to be carried out, and household income is supported. In this way, Tembawang remains sustainable while providing ongoing benefits for future generations.

The contribution of the Community Managed Conservation Area (AKKM) to biodiversity in Semandang Kanan Village is evident through the area that functions as a living space for the indigenous community, a natural fortress protecting the forest, water sources, wildlife, and various plants of ecological and cultural value. Through local wisdom and customary rules passed down through generations, the community is able to maintain a balance between the utilization of natural resources and conservation efforts, making the existence of AKKM a real example of how customary-based management practices can directly contribute to the preservation of biodiversity at the local level. Here is the biodiversity in Semandang Kanan Village;

Flora:

• Wood
• Bengkirai
• Tokam
• Belian (Ulin)
• Meranti
• Kompas
• Bangoris
• Keladan
• Tapang
• Menyan
• Gotah Merah
• Nyatuh
• Mengkubung
• Ngkajang
• Jabon
• Paket
• Kelanso
• Baloba
• Majak
• Fruit/Flower
• Durian Fruit
• Langsat Fruit
• Duku Fruit
• Nceriak Fruit
• Kapol Fruit
• Rambutan Fruit
• Sibo Fruit
• Jatak Fruit
• Muang Fruit
• Kemantan Fruit
• Kanaria Fruit
• Ruko Fruit
• Lempaung Fruit
• Pauh Fruit
• Mangis Fruit
• Kembayau Fruit
• Rangkung Fruit
• Cempedak Fruit
• Remayong Fruit (Salak)
• Linsum Fruit
• Asam Kumbang Fruit
• Bacang Fruit
• Blood Starfruit
• Sotol Fruit
• Kaliampu Fruit
• Pekawai Fruit
• Orchid Flower
• Medicinal Plants
• Ginseng (Stamina Booster)
• Pasak Bumi (Stamina Booster)
• Ntomu Root (Medicine for Jaundice (Liver))
• Kumis Kucing (Medicine for Back Pain)
• Katepeng Leaves (Medicine for Ringworm (itch))
• Mabe (Medicine for Ringworm (itch))
• Tuba Nabo (Medicine for Stomachache)
• Dragon Scale Root (Medicine for Itching)
• Simpe Komakng (Medicine for Swelling)
• Langer Boras (Medicine for Headache)
• Baluru Root (Medicine for Headache)
• Kombang Ujan Flower (Medicine for Crying Children)
• Ketutuh Dogak (Medicine for Children Who Walk Slowly)
• Nsabang Merah Flower (Medicine for Village Healing (Ritual))
• Komakng Uno (Medicine for Village Healing (Ritual))
• Jungkal Darah (Medicine for Back Pain)
• Balek Angin (Medicine for Stomachache)
• Kumpe Buok (Medicine for Long Hair)

Fauna:

• Mammals
• Wild Boar
• Deer
• Mouse Deer
• Stag
• Squirrel
• Pangolin
• Bear
• Orangutan
• Bontang (Proboscis Monkey)
• Kerak (Monkey)
• Kelai (Kelasi)
• Lutung
• Kelempiau
• Porcupine
• Rangke (Angkis/large rat)
• Nek Ncu (A type of rat)
• Keseduk (A type of rat)
• Birds
• Hornbill
• Tingang
• Tajak
• Ruai
• Sempidan
• Sengayan
• Ruai Burun
• Stone Robin
• Pipit
• Mpuruk
• Kunsit
• Bayan
• Tilit
• Bubut
• Kruak
• Eagle
• Ghost
• Cocap
• Fish
• Adung
• Tapah
• Statue
• Bamal
• Baong
• Seluang
• Bantak
• Belauk (Snakehead Fish)
• Kelabau
• Tilan
• Tempujuk
• Karansan
• Shrimp
• Cok Krosek
• Kotam (Crab)
• Konying
• Kiontong
• Tampalak
• Tbalakng
• Somah

In addition to the forest, there are also important points guarded by the Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda community, namely;

1. Ancient Cemetery

The Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda customary cemetery

Sandung is a place for burial (Sandung of high-ranking officials, Sandung of opposing high-ranking officials, and Sandung Kek Lonak)

2. Clean Water Source/Spring

• Sungei Pakok (Clean Water Source)
• Sungei Takorek (Its waterfall becomes the main spring)
• Sungei Baruakng
• Sungei Bukakng
• Sungei Kampokng Sayang
• Sungei Maraek
• Sungei Loa
• Sungei Rirek
• Sungei Sekutu
• Sungei Terjun Ansah

There are currently no specific regulations governing the recognition of AKKM in Semandang Kanan Village. However, the indigenous community along with local customary institutions are working to have AKKM recognized as Customary Forest through government support and applicable legislation.