The Roles of Bayan Indigenous Communities in Protecting Forest: Making the Forest A Sacred Place

Muhamad Soimin

Authors

Muhamad Soimin Program Studi Kehutanan, Fakultas Pertanian, Universitas Nusa Cendana, Jl. Bougenvile, Lasiana, Kec. Klp. Lima, Kota Kupang, Nusa Tenggara Timur 85228, Indonesia

Keywords:

Forest, Indigenous Community, Bayan, Local Wisdom, Sacred Place

Abstract

Forests provide immense benefits to human beings and must be protected. One strategy to safeguard the forest involves utilizing indigenous values and wisdom, making it a sacred place. The indigenous community of Bayan, which heavily relies on forest ecosystem services, primarily for water sources for daily life and agriculture, protects its forest through this approach. The qualitative study aimed to explore and elaborate on these practices. The results indicate that the indigenous community protects the forest by using indigenous values and wisdom, designating it as a sacred place called Pawang Mandala. This practice is not only a practical method of forest protection, but it has also been internalized in their religious beliefs. However, along with human advancement, it faces significant challenges and therefore requires a strategic approach to overcome these challenges while promoting opportunities. A proposed strategic approach that could serve as a solution is promoting the indigenous practice and the sacred forest of Pawang Mandala as a tourist attraction through strengthening collaborative governance between governments, the indigenous community of Bayan, and other stakeholders.

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