Wumbu 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 brother of Lawintu, who first entered this 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, where 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 searching for a place to inhabit by following the Malei River until they reached the confluence with the Lairiang River. He directed his journey to the west to follow the Lairiang River and passed a small river with very hot water. In the end, after he sought a place, there they settled and joined with the inhabitants who had already settled. Then, they lived in unity, and their life at that time was very peaceful and began to develop.

From that development, jealousy arose, and wars broke out between tribes, destroying their settlement in the Karape area. The residents of the Karape area at that time were in doubt. They left the settlement and took refuge in Ngamba. Around the year 1800, the Karape residents attempted to return to their original settlement and start a new life after the tribal wars, and at that time the area was named Kageroa, which means that destruction had occurred. After the Dutch arrived in 1903, they legalized the village as a settlement known as Kageroa village. The relationship between the Kageroa people and the Dutch was neutral, meaning there were no disputes. During the Dutch era, they formed a government system, resulting in the establishment of districts, now known as sub-districts. The transition during the Japanese era is most remembered by the community in the form of violence that was perpetrated. The violence occurred if they made a mistake in receiving orders, resulting in punishment. The orders to be carried out included forced labor for road and bridge construction (source: brwa.or.id).

The Indigenous Community of To Bada To Kageroa also has areas that are protected through generations, one of which is Wumbu Wana—an area of forbidden/sacred forest. Usually, Wumbu Wana is located far from settlements because, based on its physical characteristics, Wumbu Wana is a mountain peak forest that is populated with small-diameter trees and covered with moss. Wumbu Wana becomes a forbidden area that should not be touched because inside Wumbu Wana, there are usually springs that are a source of life for the surrounding community.

Spatial Division According to Custom

• Wana: as an area protected by custom as a buffer zone.
• Pandulu: as a forest area—becoming a place to gather non-timber forest products such as medicines and rattan, and the habitat of endemic animals such as Anoa and Babirus.
• Pobondea: as an area of former gardens that have been abandoned for 5-25 years and have returned to forest, to be managed again.
• Bonde: as a productive garden with fruit vegetation, timber, and cocoa.
• Powanua: as a residential area for the community.
• Lida: as a rice paddy area for planting rice.

The Indigenous Community of To Bada To Kageroa has a land tenure system divided into two, namely: individual ownership and communal ownership. Individual ownership means that the area/land is inherited from ancestors to an individual or family to be maintained and managed, such as: Bonde, Lida, and Pobondea. Meanwhile, communal ownership means that the area is owned and managed together, such as: Wumbu Wana, Wana, Pandulu, and Powanua.

The main rule in Wumbu Wana prohibits the opening of gardens, logging, and the utilization of rattan. This prohibition reflects the ecological intelligence of the community, which understands that Wumbu Wana is a vital water source. If this area is damaged, disasters such as landslides and droughts will occur.

Customary Institution: Tu’ana lwanua Kageroa

• Tu’ana: as the head of customs.
• Wakilino Tu’ana: as the deputy head of customs.
• Topouki Sura: as the treasurer.
• Topaamboli: as a member.

Wumbu Wana is protected through customary rules passed down through generations as a form of cultural and ecological preservation. The concept of Wumbu Wana is similar to the core conservation zone. The spatial division of the To Bada To Kageroa community shows harmony between culture and the utilization of natural resources with ecological balance. This area also serves as a habitat for protected animals such as anoa and maleo birds.

Some biodiversity in Wumbu Wana includes:

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

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