This story excerpt was translated from bahasa Indonesia. To read the original story in full, visit Mongabay. 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.
Asi Harmoko [40] stands in the middle of the flow of Aik Duku which is in Cundong Hill, Aik Abik Hamlet. Formerly, this area was a customary forest, but now it is a palm oil plantation. Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022.
Asih Harmoko [40] was silent for a moment when asked about the customary forest of the Mapur Tribe in Aik Abik Hamlet, Gunung Muda Village, Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands. He took a breath. “There is no customary forest in this village. Everything has become an oil palm field," he said in early February 2022.
"This hamlet used to be surrounded by forests and kelekak [orchards such as durian, cempedak, and mangosteen]. Various trees are growing," said Asih, who since 2019 has been chairman of the Mapur Indigenous Institute [LAM].
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He recounts his childhood and adolescence, often invited by his late grandfather [Atuk Amin] and his father [Saini Pangilan Aku], to his family's garden in Benak, the customary forest of the Mapur Tribe at the foot of Pelawan Mountain [300 meters].
A child from the Mapur tribe family in Aik Abik Hamlet, Bangka Regency. Is it possible that in adulthood we will find customary forests? Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022. Our forest is finished, said a mother in Aik Abik Hamlet, after drying rice from the fields. Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022. The forest area around Aik Abik Hamlet, which is now turned into a stretch of oil palm plantations and tin mines. Image by Taufik Wijaya/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022. The company's shrimp farm is being built on the coast of Tuing Hamlet. Image by Taufik Wijaya/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022. Mapur tribal house in Aik Abik Hamlet. The only symbol of the existence of the Mapur Tribe whose territory is filled with palm oil. Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022. The expanse of oil palm plantations to the foot of Mount Cundong and Mount Pelawan, which is seen from the top of Mount Tuing. Formerly, this area was the customary forest of the Mapur Tribe. Image by Taufik Wijaya/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022.