The Lambe Allu Indigenous Community is administratively located in Majene Regency, West Sulawesi. Nanum, inside the structure AMAN, is under the coordination of the Regional Management AMAN South Sulawesi. The topography of the Lambe Allu customary area is in the mountains and lowlands with a population of 2.444 people who are members of 626 families. The Lambe Allu Indigenous Community really feels the need for mapping of customary areas, so that the Lambe Allu customary area is formally recorded in the Regional Regulation of Majene Regency No. 1 of 2023 concerning the Recognition and Protection of Indigenous Communities.
To complete the data needs for customary areas, PW AMAN South Sulawesi accessed the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding for participatory mapping needs. Data from the mapping includes: maps of customary areas that meet standards, social data of customary areas, and minutes of boundary arrangements.
For AMAN, maps of traditional territories are very fundamental. Maps are one of the advocacy tools in resolving boundary conflicts. Because as is known, indigenous territories are easy targets for companies or governments for their interests. With a map of the traditional area, it is proof that the area indeed belongs to the Indigenous People.
“We thank the General Manager AMAN which brings direct funding programs, so that we can get support from the Nusantara Fund," said Aco Bahri Mallilingan, from the Lambe Allu Indigenous Community.
With the completion of this customary territory mapping, Aco and the Lambe Allu Traditional Community will no longer worry about being taken over by outside parties and will be able to manage the natural potentials that exist in the Lambe Allu traditional territory.
Although the mapping of customary areas needed for the recognition of the Lambe Allu customary area has been completed, Aco hopes that the Nusantara Fund Direct Funding program can still be continued. He feels that other mapping is still needed to explore the various potentials in the Lambe Allu customary area.
"We can develop the various potentials that exist in the Lambe Allu traditional area and ultimately it can be managed independently by the Lambe Allu Indigenous Community," he continued.
In implementing the customary area mapping program, it does not only rely on administrators, but also involves indigenous youth and indigenous women at the Lambe Allu Indigenous Community community level.
This broad participation of Indigenous Peoples is a principle and value that is always upheld by AMAN in carrying out the customary territory mapping program.