The Interconnectedness of Indigenous Religion and Indigenous Territory: A Case Study of Talang Mamak, Riau

Abstract

The Constitutional Court Decision 97/2016 emphasizes Bhinneka Tunggal Ika which is the diversity of Indonesia and observed to be another path to rebuild the relationship between the state and the indigenous people, especially concerning the citizenship framework. However, that decision is not enough to guarantee the sustainable reproduction of indigenous people’s religion. This research aimed to showed an interconnection between Indigenous religion and indigenous territory among Talang Mamak people in Riau Province. This research was conducted using qualitative method. There is possibility of tracing the interaction to nature and this implies it is not only a means of subsistence but also has both horizontal and vertical meanings embedded in their indigenous religion narrative. This relationship represents their strong emotional and spiritual connection to nature as well as the foundation to build their identity and form their worldview.

The Suku Asli spirituality as relevant variable for sustainable development in coastal area

“…In discussions on coastal sustainability, it's vital to highlight the dimension of spirituality. The Suku Asli Karimun community possesses unique knowledge that emphasizes a profound spiritual connection between humans, God, and the nature [34,35].…”

“…This perspective views nature not merely as a resource but as a revered spiritual entity with deep-rooted values. These spiritual values manifest in daily traditions, symbols, and rituals, constituting an integral part of their cultural identity and contributing to maintaining harmony between humans and nature [35]. Thus, in coastal sustainability discussions, understanding and respecting the spiritual and cultural values embedded in the traditions, symbols, and rituals of Suku Asli Karimun are essential.…”

“…This understanding of spirituality aligns with the perspective of Zas Friz De Col, which posits that spirituality encompasses a subjective and personal experience of connecting with spiritual forces or God ( [41] The spirituality of the Suku Asli Karimun community represents their constructed relationship with the divine and the cosmos. Local wisdom, manifested through narratives, sacred sites, symbols, traditions, and rituals, is the diorama of their ecological spirituality or spiritual connection to nature [35]. This perspective resonates with the concept of social cohesion [36].…”

Land Access, Exclusion, and Conflict in the Dynamics of Agrarian Changes in Forest Areas of Napal Putih Village, Tebo District, Sumatra

“…Out of the total production forest area in Jambi, which was 2,336,619 hectares controlled by 32 HPH through the IUPHHK-HA scheme in the 1970s, the number of remaining IUPHHK-HA permits in 2009 was only two, covering 45,285 hectares and with inactive status. This situation arose due to decentralization, which led to a transfer of licensing authority from the central government to the local government, effectively rendering the HPH concessions in the Jambi province null and void (Muntaza, 2015). The concession of PT IFA, no longer registered and abandoned since 2001, resulted in an open access regime, also referred to by local communities as " Tanah Tak Bertuan", allowing anyone to access and utilize the forest area (Hanna et al, 1996).…”

The importance of elephant forage plants for indigenous people around the elephant corridor in Bukit Tigapuluh Landscape and the future development to support the conservation of Sumatran Elephant (Elephas maximus Sumatranus)

“…Talang Mamak people seem to most utilize those 139 elephant forage plant species among the two other tribes, particularly as the source of food, medication, firewood, and economic as presented in Figure 4. Living in a remote area and the buffer zone of BTNP has made them depend on natural resources to support their household needs and also to support their economy (Ginting et al 2022;Muntaza 2022). Similar to Ot Danum Dayak indigenous people living in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia (Herianto et al 2018), the vast majority of subsistence and society's income is from forest plant products.…”