Tembawang (Desa Mekar Raya)

The Dayak Simpakng Indigenous Community, often referred to as Dayak Simpang, is one of the sub-ethnic groups of the Dayak people that generally resides in the Simpang Hulu and Simpang Dua sub-districts, Ketapang Regency, West Kalimantan. A small portion of them also exists at the border of Ketapang Regency and Sanggau Regency, specifically along the river basins of Banjur, Semandang, Baram, and Kualatn. Based on common stories found, the Dayak Simpakng ethnic group originates from Tanah Tamba Rawang in Sukadana, who migrated to Tanah Simpakng/Banua Simpakng. The political changes in the Sukadana Kingdom and the spread of Islam led the Dayak Simpakng people to migrate en masse to Banua Simpakng for several reasons, such as: security considerations and interest in the natural potential of Banua Simpakng. The second wave of migration was caused by coercion for the payment of blasting taxes due to the collaboration between the Tanjungpura Kingdom and the Dutch Company. The discovery of the location known as Banua Simpakng was accidental.

Then, regarding the history of the indigenous community in Mekar Raya Village, it is told that during the Matan kingdom, there was a figure named Ria Niti. Ria Niti was a very influential figure among the Dayak Simpakng at that time. Ria Niti invited his close companions to hunt in the area now known as Banjur (which became the center of the Mekar Raya Village government). During the hunt, Ria Niti and his close companions found large fish covered in moss from being unused for so long and wild boars that were abundant, with rattan growing on their shoulders. With the abundance of these resources, Ria Niti returned to Tamak Rawang (Sukadana) to invite other friends and family to visit Banjur and decided to settle and build a village, which has continued through his descendants to this day. The name Mekar Raya itself has an abbreviation ME, which stands for Merangin; KAR, which stands for Karab; and Ya, which stands for Baya; (Merangin, Karap, and Baya are the names of hamlets in Mekar Raya Village).

Before it became a village, Mekar Raya Village was known as Kampung Banjur Karap. It officially became a village in 1996, led by the Village Head Mr. Adoria Niti until the year 2000. From 2000 to 2005, it was led by Mr. Keike, from 2005 to 2015 by Absalon Nunai, and from mid-2015 until now (2023) by Mr. Toni. Mekar Raya Village used to be divided into five (5) hamlets, namely Dusun Baya Keranji which is now Desa Batu Daya, Dusun Kembra which is now Desa Kemora, Dusun Merangin which is now Desa Kampar Sebomban, Dusun Banjur, and Dusun Karab which until now is still one village, namely Mekar Raya Village.

The Dayak Simpakng community in Mekar Raya Village has areas that are managed and protected through generations due to their natural resource potential, namely: Tembawang, Sacred Forest, Water Sources Berugak and Senibung, Bukit Semugo (Tiger Habitat/ Ancestor Manifestation), Sacred River (Tanikng, Bejangkar, Amun Tuda), and Gunung Timur (Maria Cave and Bangka Waterfall). Tembawang itself is a tangible manifestation of the indigenous community's appreciation for the environment that provides benefits—seeing the forest as the breath of life for the community. Tembawang has also been the main source of livelihood for the indigenous community since ancient times. The community shares and passes down their heritage to their descendants, from the first generation that inhabited this area to the next generations who are obliged to share it as an ancestral legacy to meet various daily needs. Tembawang is an inheritance from ancestors, spread across 40 points with an area of 251.07 Ha. All Tembawang is utilized, and its locations are not just one expanse but consist of 40 points totaling 251.07 Ha. Tembawang is protected because its ownership system is collective, and what is most awaited from Tembawang is the abundant yield of fruits and vegetables. This protection initiative is supported by the Tropenbos Indonesia Foundation in facilitating participatory mapping.

Tembawang is utilized as a seasonal fruit producer (once a year). This commercial utilization is carried out by the indigenous local population. Besides the indigenous people, others are only allowed to utilize it for personal/family consumption and are prohibited from selling it. Usually, Tembawang is inherited by families through generations. The management rights of Tembawang are granted to the owners/heirs of Tembawang. However, Tembawang is still considered to be within the customary territory, and its utilization must still be communal—provided that permission is obtained from the owner/heir of Tembawang. According to the customary law of Banua Simpakng regarding Ngalayo, the heirs of Tembawang are entitled to harvest the fruits but are not allowed to cut down any trees within Tembawang. If this is done, there will be customary sanctions imposed on the violator.

The management of the areas that are managed and protected is the responsibility of the customary institution and the village authorities. The customary institution in Mekar Raya Village consists of Demung as the customary leader and Lemaku as a witness, as well as the Village Shaman who is responsible for the sacred areas—each sacred area has a key holder to guard the location. Currently, the regulations established for each managed and protected area are only passed down orally and through generations. However, there are also plans to draft Village Regulations for managing the protected areas.

The management and protection of Tembawang contribute to the preservation of the Tembawang ecosystem and the biodiversity within it. Tembawang is an ancestral heritage that has been passed down through generations. The community has felt the benefits of preserving Tembawang. Every year, they have an abundant supply of fruits to sell or consume themselves. This certainly also contributes to the economic welfare of the community. Tembawang contains various types of flora (flowers, trees, plants) that are protected by customary law, such as: all fruit-bearing plants like durian, temberanang, Rosak, Kemayo, Asam Kemantan, Ramut/Rambutan hutan, and others. Additionally, there are vegetable materials for consumption such as Poyang/Kempoyang, Krekondot, Dogak, Ketimakng, Krait/Melinjo, Tutu Dogak. Furthermore, there are fauna (animals, birds, etc.) that are important to protect, such as: Pangolins, Sun Bears, Mouse Deer (Forest Rat), Civets, and Hornbills (Gading, Tajak, Kuko).

The Dayak Simpakng Indigenous Community of Mekar Raya Village does not yet have specific regulations governing the recognition and protection of rights or the protection of community-managed areas. There is a legal basis that has been established regarding the recognition and protection of Indigenous Law Communities in Ketapang Regency, namely through Ketapang Regency Regulation No. 8 of 2020 concerning the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Law Communities in Ketapang Regency and the Ketapang Regent's Decree No. 589/DISPMPD-B/2021 concerning the Committee for Indigenous Law Communities.