Wana - Kageroa

The history of the Kageroa Village community dates back long before the family from South Sulawesi (Masamba) named “Toaku” arrived in Kageroa, where there were already inhabitants. Toaku is the biological younger brother of Lawintu, who first entered the Lemba Bada area. Subsequently, Toaku came and entered Lemba Bada. However, he tried to separate himself and joined a small group of people in the Lembanu area, which is now the Badangkaia Village, and he was accepted and lived together.

Eventually, Toaku married a Lembanu person. However, since that marriage, they felt unrest and secretly tried to separate themselves by looking for a place to inhabit, following the Malei River until they reached the confluence with the Lairiang River. He directed his journey westward to follow the Lairiang River and passed a small river with very hot water. In the end, after searching for a place, that is where they settled and joined the existing inhabitants. Then, they lived in harmony, and their lives at that time were very peaceful and began to develop.

From that development, jealousy and wars between tribes occurred, disrupting their settlement in the Karape area. The Karape residents were hesitant and fled to Ngamba. Around the year 1800, the Karape residents returned to their original settlement and started a new life after the tribal wars. At that time, the area was named Kageroa, which means “there was once destruction.”

After the Dutch arrived in 1903, the village was officially known as Kampung Kageroa. The relationship between the Kageroa community and the Dutch was neutral without disputes. During the Dutch era, a government system began to form with districts that are now known as sub-districts. In the Japanese era, the community remembered the violence, such as heavy punishments and forced labor for road and bridge construction (source: brwa.or.id).

Division of Customary Space

The Indigenous Community of To Bada To Kageroa has several divisions of space according to custom:

• Wumbu Wana: The peak area of the mountain with small trees and moss, becoming a sacred/prohibited place and has important springs.
• Pandulu: Forest area used for harvesting non-timber forest products and habitat for endemic animals such as anoa and babi rusa.
• Pobondea: Abandoned gardens for 5-25 years that have returned to forest, for natural management rotation.
• Bonde: Productive gardens with fruit, timber, and cocoa plants.
• Powanua: Residential area of the community.
• Lida: Rice fields for planting rice.

The Indigenous Community of To Bada To Kageroa divides the land ownership system into two:

1. Individual Ownership: Customary land inherited for management, such as Bonde, Lida, and Pobondea.
2. Communal Ownership: Land managed collectively by the community, such as Wumbu Wana, Wana, Pandulu, and Powanua.

The main rule in Wana prohibits the opening of gardens, logging, and rattan management. This rule reflects the ecological intelligence of the Kageroa community, which considers the importance of maintaining the forest ecosystem as a buffer and habitat for various species.

Customary Institutions

The Indigenous Community of To Bada To Kageroa has a customary institution called “Tu’ana lwanua Kageroa” with the following structure:

• Tu’ana: Head of customary.
• Wakilino Tu’ana: Deputy head of customary.
• Topouki Sura: Treasurer.
• Topaamboli: Member.

Wana and Wumbu Wana are protected by the Indigenous Community of To Bada To Kageroa with ancestral rules. Their traditional management practices have helped maintain ecological balance and preserve biodiversity. This ecosystem is also vital as it provides springs and serves as a habitat for protected wildlife such as anoa and maleo birds.

The biodiversity in Wana includes:

• Flora: Damar, Gaharu.
• Fauna: Maleo Birds, Anoa, Monkeys, and Allo Birds.

Recognition and Protection of Rights

Currently, the Indigenous Community of To Bada To Kageroa does not have formal regulations regarding the recognition and protection of indigenous rights or protected areas.