For the people of Papua, customary land is not just soil, it is an integral part of their identity, culture, and livelihood. Therefore, recognition of customary territory is crucial for the community. The Aara Customary Law Community, residing in Boiya Village in Kaimana, West Papua, is currently striving to gain recognition of their customary territory. After undergoing a customary land mapping process, the Aara community recently held a customary deliberation and established zoning for their customary forests. This event took place on September 23 and 24, 2024, and involved active participation from neighboring clans and representatives from five sub-tribes.
The customary deliberation marks a significant starting point in recognizing the boundary of the Aara Customary Law Community’s territory. The event began with thorough preparations, including meetings with village government and elders. In this meeting, the Head of the Cultural and Tourism Office of Kaimana Regency, Jafar Werfete, explained that through this activity, the community would understand the boundaries of their customary territory, enabling them to protect and preserve the natural resources within it. “This is an investment for future generations,” he said.
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Melianus Waterpauw, Chairman of the Boiya Village Assembly Body (Bamuskam), expressed gratitude for the successful execution of this event. “This is part of our responsibility in the village to safeguard the legacy of our ancestors. This mapping is a desire of all of us,” said Melianus.
Customary Deliberation to Agree on Boundary Lines
The customary deliberation was opened by the elder of the Napiti clan, Salmon Nay, followed by a presentation of the results of the customary land mapping conducted by the community with support from EcoNusa. From the mapping results, the Aara Customary Law Community’s territory spans 97,758.91 hectares and borders several neighboring villages, namely Rurumo, Nariki, and Bamana, which were also involved in the mapping process.
After the presentation, representatives from four villages were invited to provide feedback. Orgenes Tamar, a representative from Bamana Village, offered suggestions regarding boundary adjustments for fairness to all parties. “This customary deliberation is very important for the future of our children and grandchildren. I want to ensure that the agreed boundaries are fair for everyone,” Orgenes explained.
Based on this feedback, the mapping results were collaboratively revised. This activity reflects a collaborative spirit in resolving boundary issues. The recognition and agreement on the boundaries were documented in minutes signed by all parties, including witnesses from the government and community.
Zoning of Customary Forests
The activities continued with the zoning of customary forests on September 24, 2024. Five representatives from the sub-tribes participated in determining areas to be protected, utilized, and rehabilitated, ensuring that the natural resources in their region remain sustainable for future generations. This process went smoothly with active community participation providing information regarding the zoning to be applied. “When we determine this forest zoning, we are protecting a legacy for future generations,” said Salmon Nay.
Salmon also expressed gratitude to the EcoNusa team and all community members who supported this process. “With the zoning of customary forests, we can safeguard and preserve natural resources for future generations,” he stated.
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The customary deliberation and zoning of customary forests represent a strategic step in preserving the rights and territory of the Aara Customary Law Community. Following this deliberation, the mapping team, consisting of community members and EcoNusa, will revise the map based on the feedback received. The revised map and its details will be proposed by community representatives to the Customary Law Community Committee for verification, ultimately seeking recognition from local to central government.
Through collaboration among the community, government, and institutions, sustainable agreements are hoped to be achieved. This activity also serves as an important example for other indigenous communities in managing and protecting their natural resources and cultural heritage. With solid support from all parties, the Aara Customary Law Community is prepared to strengthen their position in the sustainable management of customary forests and natural resources.
