Local Wisdom to Overcome Covid-19 Pandemic of Urug and Cipatat Kolot Societies in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia

Abstract

Local wisdom can be interpreted as principles of life, behaviour, rules, and punishments, as well as a view of life that regulate life, so that it can regulate and managing natural resources in the natural, social, and economic environments. Even local knowledge have adapted to environment obstacle. This research aims to investigate traditionally local knowledge for confronting Covid-19 pandemic. The method used is qualitative with an ethnography approach and literature review. Data are collected through in-depth interviews with leaders of Urug and Cipatat Kolot societies. In order to investigate Baduy and Ciptagelar communities used a literature review. Data are supported by documentation and observation sources. The sample is selected using a purposive sampling technique. The result is analysed through triangulation, which is by mixing some gathered data methods. The result is that Urug society allocates rice each year from their paddy yields to the vulnerable groups such as orphans, elderlies, widows, and persons need most. Secondly, collective action is used to jump the capacity of people like women through nujuh bulanan. Thirdly, societies exert taboo to combat disaster and Covid-19, including by prohibiting community from trading paddies and rice. Another finding is that indigenous knowledge uses some life strategies and utilizes natural capital optimally for overcoming life perturbances. The last finding is that local knowledge has preserved agriculture jobs as a venue to survive.

Community-Level Experiences, Understandings, and Responses to COVID-19 in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review of Qualitative and Ethnographic Studies

“…Examples of resilience and responsiveness to the disruptive pandemic crisis were given by several authors, providing insight into how communities come together in times of distress and need. In Indonesia, two examples of gotong royong are provided in Java and Bali, promoting and encouraging local knowledge and traditional practice as a means of social protection and community cohesion [62,77]. Gotong royong is an Indonesian concept of mutual assistance, working together, and sharing the burdens among the community, and is an often-referenced term used particularly during natural disaster or calamity, whereby leaders invoke gotong royong to inspire and promote partnership and unity in times of uncertainty.…”

“…The redistribution of food in West Java was conducted using a complex socio-cultural methodology among the Ciptagelar, Baduy, Urug, Cipatat Kolot, and Naga indigenous communities [62]. A three-tiered process consisting of annual rice harvest distribution to vulnerable people such as the elderly and orphans, collective food preparation by household matrons for redistribution to pregnant women, through a process called nujuh bulanan, and instituting strict temporal taboos on shifting land ownership and farming practices, took place for the duration of the pandemic.…”

“…A three-tiered process consisting of annual rice harvest distribution to vulnerable people such as the elderly and orphans, collective food preparation by household matrons for redistribution to pregnant women, through a process called nujuh bulanan, and instituting strict temporal taboos on shifting land ownership and farming practices, took place for the duration of the pandemic. This process prevents food insecurity, especially among the vulnerable in the communities, and the utilization of local knowledge and wisdom is seen as a key mitigator of the pandemic [62].…”

Global Experiences of Community Responses to COVID-19: A Systematic Literature Review

“…Seven studies highlighted community's social support for the residents ( 44 , 45 , 47 , 48 , 60 , 65 , 66 ). This theme consisted of two sub-themes, that is, material support and psychosocial support.…”

“…Different types of social organizations took part in food provision and allocation to the vulnerable groups (orphans, elderly people, widows, etc.) ( 45 ).…”