Local knowledge includes knowledge about the local ecosystem, which has been studied and passed down from generation to generation. Indigenous peoples often have a deep understanding of sustainable ways of utilizing natural resources. Such as biodiversity-based agriculture, sustainable forest management, and other environmentally friendly practices.
Apart from that, local knowledge also includes patterns of adaptation to climate change that have been tested over time. Traditional adjustments to extreme weather, floods, droughts, or seasonal shifts indicate that local communities have developed effective strategies to survive and maintain the sustainability of their environment.
One of the local knowledge traditions that still exists today is Sasi in Maluku. The Maluku Indigenous People still consistently pass on a culture that has been the guardian of the environment for centuries. The Sasi tradition shows how local wisdom can be a milestone in sustainable natural resource management.
The existence of sasi rules helps communities manage and protect the resources around them. So, it can be used sustainably. Also, sasi has cultural value in the management and sustainable use of resources by the community. Based on local knowledge passed down from generation to generation, it aims to ensure that available resources can continue to be utilized by future generations.
Sasi comes from the word "penalty” which means prohibition. The prohibition contained in sasi is the use of natural resources on land and at sea within a certain period of time. This aims to fulfill the economic interests of the community. Apart from that, sasi can be defined as a prohibition on taking or destroying natural resources within a certain period of time, in order to preserve natural resources.
Sasi has rules, procedures for implementation, utilization, maintenance and supervision in maintaining the balance of the environment and natural resources. This tradition is a customary law that teaches how humans maintain survival. Do not use excessive natural resources to create natural balance. Sasi has norms and rules in ways, habits, behavior which contain elements of ethics and norms.
Sasi customs are the origin of Maluku culture which were inherited by Maluku ancestors for centuries. As time goes by, Sasi is still preserved by the people of this land of kings. Initially, the Sasi custom was carried out by Maluku kings in the pre-independence era. This sasi system extends to the West Papua region.
In implementing sasi, various parties are required to manage this sasi system. There are traditional institutions that have the authority to implement this sasi system. Starting from Saniri Negeri is a traditional institution that has the authority to make decisions and supervise the decisions that will be made. Then Saniri country assist the king in making decisions.
The king acts as head of state government or head of traditional institutions. The king also has the authority to determine the opening and closing of the sasi. Besides being helped saniri, the king is also assisted by a state secretary who has functions in government administration.
Sasi is for the protection of natural resources for lola products, sea cucumbers or copra, on land or at sea. The sasi that applies in society is useful for maintaining the quality and preserving the population of biological resources.
This tradition can also be interpreted as a tradition carried out by the community with the main aim of maintaining the sustainability of resources. If Sasi has been implemented by the community, the impact will be that the community will not dare to violate these regulations. So, this system is very appropriate to use as a means of managing natural resources both on land and at sea.
In implementing sasi, it is made based on people's knowledge about a certain time or period. This is to know when a resource can be harvested so that the life cycle of an organism is not disrupted. In the implementation of sasi there are the terms opening sasi and closing sasi. Buka sasi is the time when the community is allowed to take the resources that are being carried out sasi. Meanwhile, closing sasi is a time when people are not allowed to take existing resources.
Area boundaries in the implementation of sasi are usually drawn by drawing a straight line towards the sea from the beach to the edge of the coral reef. The marginal boundary consists of a coral reef ecosystem. Where this ecosystem has a function in the reproduction of marine biota and a place for marine biota to find food. Therefore, these boundaries are differentiated so that people know which areas can be used and which areas are prohibited.
The practice of sasi usually uses a wooden stick wrapped around young coconut leaves or what is usually called coconut leaves. Then, it is stuck in the location of the sasi area, indicating that people are not allowed to take or even carry out any activities that could disturb the biota within it.
If people violate the sasi regulations that have been established, they will be given sanctions. Violation of sasi has several sanctions. General sasi violations (hawear), will be subject to heavy, medium or light fines. Sanctions will be determined and considered in the local Customary Council (artist).
The first is social sanctions where war will occur if there is a violation of sasi by another party. The second is the sanction of the ancestors. This second sanction is often feared so that they will not dare to destroy the sasi even if no one sees it. Meanwhile, other forms of punishment will be adjusted according to the considerations of the Customs and Excise Council meeting.
The laws and regulations in sasi use local wisdom from the people of Southeast Maluku. The habits and values that exist in society are the basis for the rules of behavior of community members. This could be detrimental to society if the rich customs and culture of the Indonesian archipelago are not maintained and developed.
The explanation above also shows that local wisdom also encourages active community participation in managing natural resources. When local communities have control over the policies and practices of natural resource management in their area, they tend to be more committed to protecting and preserving the environment. This approach promotes sustainable development that takes into account the ecological, social, and economic needs of an area.
Apart from its practical benefits, local knowledge is also important for maintaining the continuity of local culture and identity. Local knowledge integrated into environmental management efforts not only helps maintain natural sustainability, but also strengthens the pride and welfare of local communities.
*Some sources are taken from the Journal of Ecology, Society and Science Vol.2, No.1, 2021
