25 May Indigenous Women In The Midst of The Onslaught of Investment Expansion In Natural Resources And Land Grabbing.
In the midst of the threat of land grabbing for the sake of investing in the exploitation of natural resources which has an impact on the destruction and loss of forest natural resources which have been an additional source of food, medicine, and even the economy of indigenous peoples. Another impact that is now increasingly being felt by indigenous peoples is rising temperatures and disasters arising from climate change.
Farming is one part of the activities of indigenous peoples. Before farming, the community will perform a ritual that aims to get good results. This ritual is also performed after the harvest as a form of gratitude to God (Jubata).
In farming, the majority who do it are women. This activity was carried out together with other indigenous women. Now, some of the land used for farming is affected by climate change and farming land which is partly buried by the remaining bauxite mining waste, farming productivity has decreased. However, the enthusiasm of women to continue managing the fields continues to manage the remaining land. To get to the location of the field, they have to pass through rivers and swamp forests that still exist.
Rice is still the main crop. Produced with simple equipment, indigenous women skillfully “punch” or make holes in the ground to plant rice seeds. Production results, apart from meeting household needs, are also sold to nearby villages if there is excess production. It is from these strong hands that rice and other vegetable crops are produced into food that is served on our plates and dinner tables.
Facts and Threats
Harvest failure, unable to manage the land, harvesting vegetables prematurely, sudden illness, pollution of river water and air as a result of the transportation of large transport trucks. This has been felt and experienced by indigenous peoples, especially women and indigenous women.
Climate change caused by forest investment has become a threat to the sustainability of indigenous peoples’ fields. floods and overflow of mining waste have occurred which forced indigenous women to harvest their vegetable crops early. There are even food agricultural lands that are buried in bauxite mining waste, so the land cannot be cultivated.
What do indigenous women in Toba District, Sanggau Regency does?
Women, especially mothers who are still young, have an awareness of the importance of fighting to defend their traditional territories and the natural resources they have. Starting from building farmer groups and reactivating farmer groups. Then actively involved in discussions and capacity building carried out by Teraju Indonesia. So as to re-generate enthusiasm and awareness to protect, maintain, care for and utilize land and natural resources in a sustainable manner.
Writer: Said
Published: Teraju Indonesia
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