Lubuk Larangan: The Wisdom of the Gajah Bertalut Community in the River Area

Doc. Aldya Saputra

The Lubuk Larangan area is part of the AKKM region of the Indigenous Community located on the Subayang River, situated in the Kenegerian Gajah Bertalut, Batu Sanggan Caliphate, Kampar Kiri District. This Lubuk Larangan was designated or confirmed as an area where fishing is prohibited in 1993. To this day, the Subayang River remains the only transportation route for people and goods using motorboats from upstream and downstream. This area has also been designated as the Bukit Rimbang Bukit Baling Wildlife Sanctuary since 2014.

In addition to protecting the flora and fauna in the river, this Lubuk Larangan area is developed to enhance the economic, social, and cultural values for the communities living in the Subayang River Basin, including for the development of nature tourism. Tourists will find pristine and natural conditions and a strong social culture that continues to uphold customs and traditions that protect the sources of life in the forest and river.

In the Kenegerian Gajah Bertalut, there are two Lubuk Larangan customs, namely Lubuk Larangan Pemuda with an area of 1 Ha and Lubuk Larangan Ninik Mamak with 2 Ha. The Lubuk Larangan is rich in food sources and biota such as Ayui Deer (Softshell Turtle), Baniang Konge (Turtle), and Baung Fish. When the time comes to open the Lubuk Larang as determined by the customary institution, the community of the kenegerian, both old and young, women and children, are involved, making it a ritual with its own unique appeal.

The rules for utilization are agreed upon together in discussions, and supervision is carried out jointly by the customary institutions starting from Datuk Pucuk Gdangka Nagoru, the Ninik Mamak, Dubalang, and Mamak Kampung. Specifically, those related to the river who hold the rights and authority are the datuk para patiah, while those who have full authority on land are the datuk pucuk.