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

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].