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Historia Publication logo Diciembre 13, 2022

Marind Anim People Forced To Leave Local Food System (bahasa Indonesia)

Autores:
Limbung Pangan1 Papua
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The food estate project has become a nightmare for indigenous peoples and the last tropical forest...

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This story excerpt was translated from bahasa Indonesia. To read the original story in full, visit Kompas. You may also view the original story on the Rainforest Journalism Fund website here. Our website is available in English, Spanish, bahasa Indonesia, French, and Portuguese.


Loss of access to forests has led to food insecurity for Marind-anim communities in Papua.


Forests have been an important part of the food system of the Marind Anim, an Indigenous community in Merauke. However, since the giant food and energy estate project (MIFEE) was established in 2010, which aims to convert 1.2 million hectares of land in Merauke, the Marind Anim's access to their forests has faltered, accelerating changes in food patterns.

Marind Anim communities have traditionally relied on forests and swamps for their livelihoods. From the forest areas, they get sago and various game animals such as deer, slow loris, cassowary, poultry, kangaroo, wild boar, and crocodiles.

In addition, the forest also grows a variety of fruits including mango, rambutan, papaya, banana, jackfruit, and coconut, in addition to various leaves and tubers for vegetables. The forest also provides bark, gambier, and resin.

Lambert Ndiken (67), a customary elder of Baad Village in Animha District, says that the forest is not only a source of food, but also the center of cosmology. The forest is 'Mother,' associated as the giver of life and a religious doorway to connect with Demai or ancestral spirits.


Solomon Maywa (30), a man from the Kanume tribe, a sub-tribe of Marind Anim Anim hunts kangaroos commonly called "saham" in his customary forest in Yakyu Hamlet, Rawa Biru Village, Sota District, Merauke Regency, Papua, Thursday (12/3/2020). Kangaroo hunting in the Wasur National Park area is allowed as long as it uses traditional methods with arrows or spears. The number hunted is limited, which is only to fulfill the family's food needs. Before Wasur NP was established in 1997, traditional hunting had been part of the daily life of the Marind Anim tribe for thousands of years. Hunting with this pattern ensures the sustainability of the animals because they only take enough for their own consumption. Image by Agus Susanto/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

Solomon Maywa (30), a man from the Kanume tribe, a sub-tribe of Marind Anim Anim, gets on a boat to hunt kangaroos commonly called "saham" in his tribal forest in Yakyu Hamlet, Rawa Biru Village, Sota District, Merauke Regency, Papua, Thursday (12/3/2020). Kangaroo hunting in the Wasur National Park area is allowed as long as it uses traditional methods with arrows or spears. The number hunted is limited, which is only to fulfill the family's food needs. Image by Agus Susanto/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

The Marind anim tribe lives in a bivouac in Animha District, Merauke Regency, Papua, Wednesday (9/11/2022). They bring one family for a week to live in bivouac by collecting twigs and branches commonly called leles. Image by Agus Susanto/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

Marind anim residents cook sago in Zanegi Village, Animha District, Merauke Regency, Papua, Thursday (10/11/2022). Sago has an important position for the Marind anim community. Apart from being rich in carbohydrates and nutritional support, sago, which is an ancestral food, is also a cultural identity. Image by Agus Susanto/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

A Marind anim child prepares to eat sago in Zanegi Village, Animha District, Merauke Regency, Papua, Thursday (10/11/2022). Sago has an important position for the Marind anim community. Apart from being rich in carbohydrates and nutritional support, sago, which is an ancestral food, is also a cultural identity. Image by Agus Susanto/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

Marind anim residents prepare to serve sago in Zanegi Village, Animha District, Merauke Regency, Papua, Thursday (10/11/2022). Image by Agus Susanto/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.

Infographic by Ismawadi/Kompas. Indonesia, 2022.