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Story Publication logo March 6, 2022

Protecting Forest as a Swift Way to Heaven for Mapur People (bahasa Indonesia)

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After political reforms in Indonesia in 1998, about 13,565 hectares of forest belonging to the state...

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This story excerpt was translated from bahasa Indonesia. To read the original story in full, visit Mongabay. You may also view the original story on the Rainforest Journalism Fund website here. Our website is available in English, Spanish, bahasa Indonesia, French, and Portuguese.

During the journey to his garden at the foot of the Semedang Hill in the hamlet of Aik Abik, Abok Geboi or Buyut Geboi [53], who was wearing a black Mapur traditional shirt and headband, explained a number of plants that could be used as medicine.

"Boil some pistil simpor leaves [Dillenia suffruticosa] mixed with weed root [Imperata cylindrica], but the number should be odd. Usually seven or nine. The water is taken as a kidney disease drug," said Abok Geboi, who is also chairman of Mapur Adat Gunung Muda Village, Belinyu Subdistrict, Bangka Regency, Bangka Belitung Islands, in mid-February 2022.

Simpor, a perdu plant with oval-shaped leaves. The width of the leaves is close to that of an adult's hand. The arrangement of leaf bones is like that of fish bones. The weeds are small leafy grasses, long and sharp—similar to lemongrass [Cymbopogon citratus].


Abok Gedoi [53], Chairman of the Mapur Indigenous Tribe in Aik Abik Hamlet. According to him, maintaining the forest prohibition and customary forest, will facilitate the way to heaven. Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022.

Asih Harmoko [40], of the younger generation of the Mapur Tribe, showed a number of types of medicinal plants around the remaining forest in Aik Abik Hamlet. Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022.

Simpor, a perdu plant whose leaves are used as medicinal materials by the Mapur Tribe. Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022.

Binturong [Arctictis binturong] are animals that live in the forests of Bangka Island. Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022.

Life is simple and in harmony with nature, leading most people in the Mapur Tribe to live a long life. Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022.

Generally, Mapur tribe members live a long life. Like Nek Aso [68], who claimed to diligently consume drugs from the forest. Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022.

Sukardi [53], a Mapur community leader in Tuing Hamlet. Image by Nopri Ismi/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022.

The customary forests of the Mapur Tribe in the hills of Mount Pelawan and Mount Cundong in Bangka Regency are the source of medicines and sacred areas of the Mapur Tribe. Now, it is slowly being undermined by tin mining and oil palm plantations. Image by Taufik Wijaya/Mongabay Indonesia. Indonesia, 2022.

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