KUMA and Traditional Schools: The Bodo Maroto Indigenous Community of West Sumba's Path to Revitalizing the Economy and Sustainability of Indigenous Territories 

The Bodo Maroto Indigenous Community is one of the oldest cultural centers on Sumba Island, located in Bodo Maroto Village, Kalembu Kuni Village, Waikabubak District, West Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara. The Bodo Maroto Indigenous Community consists of 37 families and relies on farming, weaving traditional cloth, weaving mats, and making handicrafts. my wallabo or rice barns, baskets, pandan steamers, and others made from non-timber forest products.

In the processing of agricultural land, the Bodo Maroto Indigenous Community has a traditional ritual "Wulla Poddu" means bitter month. It's called bitter month because throughout the month, a number of customary prohibitions are established and must be obeyed, and a series of customary rituals must be performed. In essence, Wulla Poddu is the holy month. The traditional rituals carried out aim to ask for blessings, as a means of giving thanks, as a means of telling stories about the origins of ancestors, and describing the process of human creation.

Unfortunately, the Bodo Maroto Indigenous Community still faces challenges related to low welfare due to limited production and marketing capacity for their handicrafts (woven fabrics, weaving, carvings), as well as the threat of fading cultural values ​​and traditional knowledge due to external influences and the suboptimal functioning of Customary Schools. If left unaddressed, these conditions could weaken their economy, cultural identity, and the sustainability of their customary territory.

To address these issues, Indigenous Peoples are pushing for the initiative to establish Indigenous Peoples Business Groups (KUMA). The goal is to ensure increased production, product quality, and ensure that the woven and woven products produced by Indigenous Women and Youth have high historical or narrative value at affordable prices, while ensuring continued product marketing. At the same time, Indigenous Peoples are also pushing for the strengthening of Indigenous Schools as practice-based learning centers that integrate the rehabilitation of indigenous areas as a direct learning medium and transmit ancestral knowledge regarding traditional models. Kaliwu, the function of customary wood, protection of customary areas through field practice.

After the formation of KUMA Bodo Maroto, the Indigenous Community then strengthened institutional organization and product marketing, as well as increasing production capacity, such as training in weaving, design, sewing, and waste processing into products with economic value. As a result, 26 women experienced a twofold increase in weaving production, 12 women acquired new skills in making derivative products, and an additional source of income from the sale of accessories, fabric rentals, and processed products. The involvement of 8 men in supporting the business also became a significant change. Within three months, KUMA generated a profit of IDR 2.800.000 which was then developed into a savings and loan, supported by production facilities and digital promotions that increased orders and tourist visits. Overall, KUMA directly benefits 68 people and indirectly benefits around 600 people, while strengthening cultural preservation through the integration of weaving in indigenous education and the development of products based on local cultural values.

Meanwhile, in strengthening Indigenous Schools, the Indigenous Community has successfully developed them into tradition-based learning centers with a profile and curriculum. This is supported by one principal, four facilitators, and eight teachers who actively share their knowledge. Furthermore, the Indigenous Community has also successfully rehabilitated customary areas by developing village seed gardens (Kaliwu) in the nursery, and 27 types of plants that have been planted in the customary territory. The customary school also strengthens collaboration between parents and the younger generation in preserving the environment, as well as developing digital media-based literacy and learning programs supported by mobile devices for promotion and learning processes. Overall, the Bodo Maroto Customary School provides direct benefits to 87 people, including children and young people, and contributes to cultural preservation, strengthening local knowledge, and the sustainability of customary territories.