Torunt Gamuroh

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 region. However, his home was consumed by fire, forcing him to move to Batang Poring. Because the area was difficult for making a living and still under Dutch colonial rule, which was fraught with 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 experienced injustice as elderly individuals 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 possess extraordinary powers—able to fly, disappear, and master the art of war. With his abilities, he set off alone to Ketapang, the Japanese army's headquarters, and successfully killed their war leader. His head was brought back to the village and became a symbol of victory in a traditional ritual. Although he did not leave descendants due to spiritual prohibitions, the Dayak knowledge and wisdom he possessed were passed on to Lintam, who was then given the customary title of Panglima Lintam. This story marks a historical milestone and serves as a spiritual foundation that strengthens the community's bond with their ancestral land and forests.

As time has progressed, the community of Semandang Kanan Village faces new challenges. The presence of external companies, such as palm oil plantations and bauxite mines, seeks to transform the forest's function into commercial land. This threat raises 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 has 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 deemed 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.

Torunt Gamuroh, also known as Temawang Gemuroh/Tamawang Lama, is a sacred forest area that is guarded with great respect by the indigenous community. This area is believed to be the dwelling place of ancestral spirits, a space for conducting traditional rituals, and an important source of clean water and biodiversity. Within it are two hills called Cangkong Kritak and Cangkong Gamuroh, which are understood as a unified landscape from the valley to the peak. For the indigenous community, this forest holds both spiritual and ecological value.

The main function of AKKM in the Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda community, one of which is Torunt Gamuroh, is to protect water sources and serve as 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, damar resin, firewood, and utilizes tembawang products 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 by the Customary Community Institution (LMD) led by the Temonggong (customary head). This institution functions to regulate the spatial planning of the customary territory, resolve customary issues, and make decisions through the Customary Deliberation (Musdat) held annually with the local community. The community has both 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 in place, such as prohibiting poisoning fish, cutting down trees without permission, or damaging sacred sites. These rules are passed down orally from generation to generation, with strict sanctions in the form of customary punishment “paku real” for violators. Through this management system, significant benefits are felt by the community: the need for clean water is met, sources of livelihood are available, traditional rituals can continue to be performed, and household income is supported. Thus, Torunt Gamuroh is not only a conservation area but also a reflection of local wisdom that maintains the balance between humans, nature, and ancestral values.

The contribution of the Community Managed Conservation Area (AKKM) to biodiversity in Semandang Kanan Village is evident through areas that serve as living spaces for the indigenous community, natural barriers protecting the forest, sources of water, 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 tangible 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
• Langsat
• Duku
• Nceriak
• Kapol
• Rambutan
• Sibo
• Jatak
• Muang
• Kemantan
• Kanaria
• Ruko
• Lempau
• Pauh
• Mangis
• Kembayau
• Rangkung
• Cempedak
• Remayong (Salak)
• Linsum
• Asam Kumbang
• Bacang
• Blood Starfruit
• Sotol
• Kaliampu
• Pekawai
• Orchid
• Medicinal Plants
• Ginseng (Stamina Booster)
• Pasak Bumi (Stamina Booster)
• Ntomu Root (Liver Medicine)
• Cat's Whiskers (Back Pain Medicine)
• Katepeng Leaves (Itch Medicine)
• Mabe (Itch Medicine)
• Tuba Nabo (Stomachache Medicine)
• Dragon Scale Root (Itch Medicine)
• Simpe Komakng (Swelling Medicine)
• Langer Boras (Headache Medicine)
• Baluru Root (Headache Medicine)
• Kombang Ujan Flower (Medicine for Crying Children)
• Ketutuh Dogak (Medicine for Children Who Walk Slowly)
• Nsabang Merah Flower (Village Healing Medicine (Ritual))
• Komakng Uno (Village Healing Medicine (Ritual))
• Jungkal Darah (Back Pain Medicine)
• Balek Angin (Stomachache Medicine)
• Kumpe Buok (Hair Growth Medicine)

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 Magpie
• Pipit
• Mpuruk
• Kunsit
• Bayan
• Tilit
• Bubut
• Kruak
• Eagle
• Owl
• Cocap

Fish

• Adung
• Tapah
• Patung
• 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 sites maintained by the Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda community, namely;

1. Old Cemetery

Dayak Simpakng Banua Tuda customary cemetery

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

• 2. Clean Water Source/Spring
• Sungei Pakok (Clean water source)
• Sungei Takorek (The 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, is working to have AKKM recognized as a Customary Forest through government support and applicable legislation.