Marking Territory, Ensuring the Rights of the Laha-Laha and Rumbia Indigenous Communities – South Sulawesi

In a hilly region at an elevation of over 1.400 meters above sea level, two Indigenous communities have lived for generations, guarding South Sulawesi's primary forests: Laha-laha and Rumbia. Both communities are located 75 kilometers from the center of government, isolated, and surrounded by pristine natural landscapes. However, their customary territories have not been officially recognized by the state, and much of the area is actually within state forest areas.

The Laha-Laha and Rumbia Indigenous Communities realized that if they didn't quickly mark their boundaries and prepare the application documents, their customary territories could be taken over or claimed by another party. This prompted the communities to take action, not only as a preventative measure but also as a way to build their bargaining position. Together with PD AMAN Sinjai, they started a participatory mapping initiative for customary areas, along with ensuring boundary agreements with surrounding villages.

This activity began in January 2025 with a socialization event in the Terasa Village hall. The meeting was attended by traditional elders, youth, women, and village officials. During this session, residents learned that participatory mapping not only depicts customary territories but also serves as the basis for official recognition from the local government, which is currently opening up opportunities through regional regulations and the district-level Indigenous Peoples Identification Committee.

Subsequently, participatory mapping training was held in each community. Indigenous youth practiced using GPS, recording coordinates, and documenting important sites in a participatory manner. Elders' knowledge of natural boundaries, place names, and sacred sites served as the primary guide. Intergenerational knowledge exchange occurred, and knowledge that previously existed only in memory and oral tradition began to be immortalized in written spatial and visual forms.

The involvement of Indigenous Youth in training and surveys fosters intergenerational knowledge regeneration. Knowledge that previously existed only in memory and oral tradition is now being immortalized in spatial and visual forms. Meanwhile, Indigenous Women contribute crucial information about water sources, traditional medicine sites, and customary ritual spaces. Therefore, this collaboration is not merely about mapping techniques, but also a collective process of building sovereignty over shared living spaces.

The mapping continued with surveys and the drawing of maps of customary territories in both Laha-laha and Rumbia. The result: two detailed maps of customary territories, covering a total area of ​​over 3203,6 hectares (771,14 ha in Laha-laha and 2.432,46 ha in Rumbia). These maps document territorial boundaries, important locations, and the history and culture of the Indigenous Peoples.

The next step was to agree on boundaries with neighboring villages. Village discussions and inter-regional forums were held, leading to the signing of the boundary delimitation report by the heads of adjacent villages. This series of processes strengthened the legitimacy of customary territories at the local level and facilitated verification at the district level.

More than 700 Laha-laha and Rumbia Indigenous Peoples have benefited directly, and thousands more will be indirectly impacted, as village and district governments now have mapping data to process for official recognition.

Changes are also beginning to be seen. Residents not only know their boundaries but are also beginning to recognize that maps are a tool for advocacy and policy negotiation. Maps have become a symbol of certainty and an instrument for the future, both to defend land from outside claims and as a basis for better village management.

There were certainly challenges. Muddy roads, ravines, rivers, and rain hindered field surveys. Residents worked around these challenges by preparing tents and logistics, and choosing opportune times. Communication was maintained through community cadres to maintain schedules. Ensuring early participation in the participatory mapping process strengthened solidarity, and the results felt shared.

Participatory mapping in Laha-laha and Rumbia is not the end, but rather the beginning of a long road towards the recognition and protection of indigenous territories amidst the dynamics of development policies that often sideline the interests of Indigenous Communities. 

Laha-laha and Rumbia mark their territories not just in the memories and oral traditions of their elders, but also through maps drawn on paper and boundary agreements accepted by surrounding villages. Most importantly, the Laha-laha and Rumbia Indigenous Peoples have acquired new knowledge to protect their ancestral lands.