Wana

In the 15th century AD, there was an area called Tinoe, whose inhabitants relied on hunting in the forest for their daily livelihood. One day, while on a hunting trip, they discovered a location deemed suitable for a new settlement. This place was then named Bulili.

The name Bulili has its own history. After the Tinoe community settled in the new location, a traveler named Manuru arrived with his entourage. They reached an area called Padang Sepe. From there, Manuru saw smoke rising from the direction of the Tinoe community's new settlement. He sent a messenger to meet the local residents, seeking to establish peace with them.

The Tinoe community welcomed the messenger from Manuru. The meeting concluded with a ceremony and a communal meal. This shared meal is the origin of the name Bulili, which comes from the local word modulu-dulu, meaning “to eat together.”

The forest is an area of forest below the mountain peak (wumbu wana) in the Bulili community with hilly and flat topography. This area is among the largest forests in Bulili Village, with dense vegetation primarily consisting of large woody trees. Nationally, this area is classified as a protected forest. The forest is utilized by the community as a protection area and a source of springs for the daily needs of the local community as well as for flora and fauna.

Generally, the community does not have the right to exploit the natural resources in the forest, but they have a mandatory responsibility to protect the area to keep it sustainable. However, there are some situations that allow the community to utilize it. The community may utilize and manage natural resources in the forest as long as there is coordination with the local community, village government, and customary institutions, and it is only permitted if the resources being utilized are medicinal plants.

The indigenous community has rules for the forest area to ensure its sustainability; these rules relate to the actions of the community while in the protected forest (wana), as follows;

• Do not burn shrimp
• There is a river believed to have a customary taboo: if someone cuts down a tree on its banks, it will rain immediately.
• Do not burn chili seeds
• Do not urinate in the river
• Water should not be taken directly; it must be taken using another medium
• Rice must not touch fire
• The forest's resources have not been touched by humans, except for traps for pigs
• Do not speak harshly, shout unclearly, or be arrogant

Some still seek permission by bringing eggs/tobacco/lime/betel leaves before entering the forest

The forest in Bulili Village is a dense forest area that serves as an important habitat for various wildlife endemic to Sulawesi. Some mammals inhabiting this area include anoa (Bubalus depressicornis and Bubalus quarlesi), bear cuscus (Ailurops ursinus), wild boar (Sus scrofa), babirusas (Babyrousa babyrussa), tarsiers (Tarsius tarsier), and wild cats (Prionailurus bengalensis). On the forest floor and its edges, red jungle fowl (Gallus gallus) also live. The avifauna diversity in Bulili Forest is quite high, including species such as the Sulawesi hornbill (Rhyticeros cassidix), alo (the local name for hornbills or julang, Rhyticeros cassidix), maleo (Macrocephalon maleo), white-faced whistling duck (Dendrocygna arcuata), and owls (Otus manadensis and other species). The presence of these fauna not only highlights the importance of the forest as a supporter of biodiversity but also its role in maintaining ecosystem balance.

The vegetation in Bulili Forest also harbors various types of flora with high ecological and economic value. Large trees such as dammar (Agathis dammara), agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis), champaca (Magnolia champaca), ebony (Diospyros celebica), meranti (Shorea spp.), rengas (Gluta renghas), and leda wood (Intsia bijuga) tower in the canopy. Various types of orchids (Orchidaceae) add to the richness of species, accompanied by local plants such as pakanangi (a type of cinnamon, Cinnamomum burmanni, with hard wood, used as traditional medicine, up to 1 m in diameter), yellow root (Arcangelisia flava) for malaria treatment and body strength, and wala’a ntandu’ (a climbing plant that stores drinking water). Other supporting vegetation includes rattan (Calamus spp.) and bamboo (Bambusoideae). This area also has important points that serve as life support, such as springs, river flows, and caves that function as habitats for wildlife and resources for the surrounding community.

There are currently no specific regulations governing the recognition of the Bulili village community's territory. However, the community has a collective commitment regarding the management of the AKKM area by the wider community.