Apai Jangut and the Resilience of the Iban People in Sungai Utik

Apai Jangut reading in the longhouse is a powerful image that speaks to the role of leadership in safeguarding both tradition and progress. Captured in a photograph by Yohanes Rj.

BORNEOTRAVEL - PUTUSSIBAU: If you ever find yourself on duty, working, or vacationing in West Kalimantan, make time to visit Sungai Utik.

Sungai Utik, located in Kapuas Hulu, West Borneo, is home to the resilient Iban community, led by the remarkable figure known as Apai Jangut. 

The name "Apai Jangut" is an affectionate nickname that translates to "Father Beard," reflecting his status as an elder with a distinctive beard. His real name, however, is Bandi anak Ragae, a true-blooded Iban and a seventh-generation descendant of the legendary figures Keling and Kumang, who are deeply revered in Iban mythology.

Apai Jangut is more than just a cultural leader

Apai Jangut is more than just a cultural leader; he is a living embodiment of the Iban people's spirit and values. Through his leadership, the Iban community in Sungai Utik has maintained their traditional way of life while standing firm against external pressures threatening their ancestral lands. They are globally recognized for their sustainable practices in managing the forest, preserving biodiversity, and passing down invaluable knowledge to future generations.

The resilience of the Iban people under Apai Jangut’s guidance is not only a testament to their cultural strength but also a powerful story of harmony between humans and nature. Their efforts to safeguard their land and traditions serve as an inspiration to indigenous communities worldwide, emphasizing the importance of unity, heritage, and ecological stewardship.

Sungai Utik, a remote village located in Batu Lintang, Embaloh Hulu District, Kapuas Hulu Regency, West Kalimantan, is a place where the timeless bond between nature and culture thrives. 

Here, the Dayak Iban community has been protecting and managing their ancestral forest—covering a vast 9,504 hectares—using principles that are vastly different from most of the surrounding communities. For the people of Sungai Utik, the forest is not simply a natural resource to exploit, but an essential part of their identity and daily existence. 

The land is our mother, and the forest is our father

As Apay Janggut, the village elder and guardian of the forest, poignantly says, “The land is our mother, and the forest is our father.” His words encapsulate the profound relationship this community has with the land that sustains them.

The Iban people of Sungai Utik are widely recognized as fierce defenders of the forest. Their village is built around a longhouse that stretches 214 meters, housing 318 residents who live in harmony with the environment. For decades, they have fought to preserve their forest against illegal logging and corporate exploitation. 

Back in 1979, when outside companies sought to clear their forests for profit, Apay Janggut led his people in a brave stand, successfully preventing these corporations from taking over their ancestral land. The community’s efforts to protect their environment are rooted in a deep respect for their customs and the wisdom passed down through generations. They follow a system of adat (customary law) that has guided them in managing the forest and its resources sustainably for centuries.

Their 9,504-hectare forest is divided into two zones: 6,000 hectares are designated as protected forest, while 3,504 hectares are used for cultivation and agriculture. The community uses a traditional rotational farming system, where some land is used for farming and is then allowed to regenerate back into forest after several years. This practice ensures that the soil remains fertile and the ecosystem is never depleted. The sustainability of this approach has been proven over time, as the community continues to reap the benefits of a thriving forest that supports their daily needs—providing clean water, fresh air, food, medicine, and a source of income.

In a world where climate change is accelerating, the people of Sungai Utik enjoy the rewards of their foresight and dedication to conservation. 

They are well aware that their efforts in preserving the forest contribute to the global fight against climate change, though this was never their primary motivation. While the people of Sungai Utik do not view themselves as environmental activists in the traditional sense, their actions have resulted in the storage of significant amounts of carbon in their protected forests. 

It’s estimated that the forest holds approximately 960,000 tons of carbon, with an additional 350,400 tons stored in their secondary forest areas. This is an incredible achievement, especially when compared to the rampant deforestation happening in surrounding areas to make way for palm oil plantations, illegal logging, and other forms of resource extraction.

Beyond the ecological impact, the conservation of their forest has had profound economic effects on the community. Their forest provides an abundance of resources: the river is full of fish, the surrounding jungle offers food, and the forest is a pharmacy, offering medicinal plants like raru bark to treat stomach ailments and Bintangor for cancer treatment. 

These resources are essential for the well-being of the community, and the Iban people of Sungai Utik have developed a balanced system that allows them to harvest what they need while ensuring that the forest is never depleted.

Their way of life is also tightly intertwined with their cultural identity. The forest serves as a space for cultural practices and rituals, grounding the community in their traditions and providing a backdrop for their daily lives. Activities such as dancing, weaving ikat fabric, crafting rattan baskets, tattooing, and brewing traditional drinks like tuak (fermented palm sap) are still common in Sungai Utik. 

These cultural practices, many of which are tied to the forest itself, are passed down through generations and serve to strengthen the social fabric of the community. The longhouse, the center of their social life, is where they celebrate Gawai, the traditional harvest festival that marks the beginning of the planting season. This cultural connection to the land goes hand-in-hand with their sustainable approach to natural resource management.

For the Iban people of Sungai Utik, the forest is more than just a physical space—it is a spiritual one. The forest is considered a source of life, providing not only the material needs of the community but also serving as a place of healing, reflection, and ritual. The Iban people view the forest as their ancestor’s legacy, a sacred trust that must be protected for future generations. This understanding of the forest as both a material and spiritual resource sets the foundation for the sustainable management practices that have been in place for centuries.

The conservation efforts of Sungai Utik stand in stark contrast to the deforestation and exploitation seen in other parts of Indonesia and Southeast Asia. While much of the surrounding landscape has been cleared for palm oil plantations, timber, and mining, the people of Sungai Utik have remained steadfast in their commitment to protecting their land. Their success is all the more remarkable when you consider the forces that have worked against them—corporate interests, illegal logging, and environmental degradation in nearby areas. Despite these challenges, they have managed to maintain a forest that is thriving and resilient.

The economic benefits of forest conservation in Sungai Utik go beyond the material resources it provides. The forest plays a crucial role in supporting the community’s food security and economic resilience. By living in a way that respects the cycles of nature, the Iban people are able to generate income through sustainable farming and resource extraction without harming the environment. This approach has helped them avoid the pitfalls of rapid urbanization and industrialization that often lead to environmental degradation and economic inequality. Instead, they’ve built a self-sustaining economy that supports their families and their way of life, proving that it is possible to live in balance with nature while achieving economic prosperity.

In addition to their environmental and economic success, the cultural and social impact of the Sungai Utik community is profound. The traditional way of life they maintain is a source of pride for the people, and their strong sense of community and identity is evident in their daily practices. 

The village functions as a cohesive unit where every member plays a role in maintaining cultural traditions, and this shared commitment helps the community navigate the challenges of modern life without losing sight of their roots.

The resilience of the Iban people in Sungai Utik

The resilience of the Iban people in Sungai Utik serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of indigenous knowledge and practices in the fight against climate change. Their efforts show that local communities, when empowered and respected, can offer effective solutions to global problems. Their model of sustainable resource management offers a blueprint for how humanity can balance development with environmental stewardship. By respecting traditional knowledge and working in harmony with nature, the people of Sungai Utik prove that it is possible to protect both our cultural heritage and the planet we call home.

In many ways, Sungai Utik is a living testament to the fact that a sustainable future is possible. The community’s commitment to forest conservation, cultural preservation, and economic resilience demonstrates that protecting the environment and nurturing cultural traditions are not mutually exclusive but are, in fact, deeply interconnected. 

The people of Sungai Utik have shown the world that preserving our natural resources is not only essential for the planet’s health but also for the well-being and survival of the generations that follow. Their story is a powerful example of how indigenous communities, armed with traditional wisdom and a deep respect for nature, can offer a path forward for all of us.

-- Rangkaya Bada