Strengthening the Collective Economy of Traditional Tool Crafts of the Three Kasepuhan Indigenous Communities in Sukabumi, West Java

The traditional villages of Kasepuhan Sinaresmi, Kasepuhan Ciptamulya, and Kasepuhan Ciptagelar are three indigenous communities located at the foot of Mount Halimun, specifically in Sukabumi Regency, West Java. In their daily lives, these indigenous communities maintain cultural values, customs, and local wisdom passed down through generations for hundreds of years. The term "kasepuhan" comes from the word "sepuh," meaning parent or elder, reflecting a traditional leadership system based on the wisdom of their ancestors and still guiding their lives to this day.

Some Indigenous Peoples in the three Kasepuhan (segupuhan) depend on farming for their livelihoods, while others choose to make crafts from traditional materials. However, along the way, the three Kasepuhan Indigenous Peoples have encountered challenges regarding the suboptimal management of these livelihood resources. Properly managed, this potential could sustainably support the Indigenous Peoples' economies.

Therefore, the three Kasepuhan Sinar Resmi, Kasepuhan Cipta Mulya, and Kasepuhan Ciptagelar took the initiative to encourage the optimization of livelihood resources utilization, involving indigenous youth through the creation of traditional bamboo tools and vegetable gardens to improve the collective economy of the Indigenous Community. This also serves as an effort by the Indigenous Community to support the effective and sustainable management of their customary territories.

As a result, the Kasepuhan Sinaresmi Indigenous Youth have increased their knowledge and awareness of managing their customary territory. Meanwhile, in Kasepuhan Ciptamulya, there has been an increase in the production of processed crafts, including bamboo crafts. In Kasepuhan Gelar Alam, the Indigenous Youth's knowledge has increased, fostering a sense of responsibility for managing their own territory.