Customary Territory Map: Efforts to Protect Five Customary Territories in East Luwu, South Sulawesi from Mining Threats

Participatory mapping of customary territories by Indigenous Communities directly strengthens their position in fighting for their territorial rights. For example, the Padoe Indigenous Community in East Luwu, South Sulawesi, recognized that their customary territory, along with four adjacent customary territories, were under equal threat due to a nickel mining concession operating within their customary territory since 1968, which has polluted the environment.

The enactment of the 2022 Regional Regulation on the recognition and protection of indigenous communities in East Luwu Regency does not automatically protect the customary territories of the Padoe Indigenous Community. They must undergo a lengthy process to ensure the protection and recognition of their rights. One of the efforts they have undertaken is the initial strategic step of participatory mapping of their customary territories. This mapping involves retracing the boundaries of their customary territories based on the knowledge passed down from their elders and transferring them to a spatial map. This includes holding discussions with the Karunsi'e Indigenous Community, the Tambee Community, the Cerekang Community, and the Konde Community.

The joint boundary deliberation between four indigenous communities bordering the Padoe customary territory was intended to reach a consensus on the boundaries of each respective customary territory. This event, held for the first time in East Luwu, brought together several indigenous communities in a single discussion space. During the process, each community opened a map of its customary territory and outlined its boundaries based on traditional knowledge.

Although the first meeting failed to reach a definitive conclusion on the boundaries of their respective customary territories, the indigenous peoples of East Luwu expressed their gratitude for the deliberation, as it was the first time these five communities had met for deliberation. This strengthened the emotional bonds between the indigenous communities, fostering a collective awareness of fighting for and defending their customary territories. They also committed to continuing the deliberations to enforce the boundaries of their customary territories.