For centuries, indigenous women have inhabited and thrived in some of the most ecologically diverse regions. Their unique way of life is rooted in a deep understanding of nature. Fostering a harmonious relationship between humans and the environment.
Indigenous women have in-depth knowledge about how to maintain soil fertility and maintain the balance of the agricultural ecosystem. They also have knowledge about sustainable management of natural resources. This knowledge includes traditional ways of utilizing natural resources. Such as forests, rivers and agricultural land without destroying or overexploiting them.
Indigenous women's traditional knowledge is not only related to technical aspects, but also reflects social and spiritual wisdom. Indigenous women often have a central role in maintaining social harmony in their communities.
They are the guardians of cultural values, traditions and local wisdom, and regulate human relations with the universe. This traditional knowledge provides them with an unrivaled understanding of their environment. Making them natural protectors of their ancestral lands.
Their role goes beyond mere activism; they are actively involved in reforestation efforts and sustainable use of natural resources. By caring for their environment and ensuring the preservation of biodiversity, these indigenous women are fighting against the current environmental crisis.
One of them is the Toro community, which is the indigenous Kulawi tribe or usually called the Toro Traditional Community. They have institutions, and traditional institutions are very strong. The Toro Indigenous Community has a long history with its environment. Until it has its own system for utilizing natural resources, especially internalizing the role of women as holders of cultural authority.
Women, have the authority to design jobs in agriculture. Cool down conflicts within the village, and organize rice and field management work, such as determining when is the right time to harvest.
In the practice of Toro social life, tina ngata or village mother plays a dominant role. For example, every time there is a village meeting, Tina Ngata must attend it. Without the presence of tina ngata, such decisions have no cultural validity and must be overturned. Women play a strong role as decision makers.
Rukmini Paata Toheke, she is a Toro traditional female figure. He tina ngata in the community in Toro Village, Kulawi District, Sigi, Central Sulawesi. Tina Ngata, Village Leadership Council in the Toro Traditional Community which plays an important role in managing natural resources. The presence of women in this community has strong sociological and cultural legitimacy for environmental conservation.
Since 1994, he has been fighting to restore the role of traditional women in decision making. For him, indigenous women should have more space to speak when discussing Natural Resources (SDA). "Indigenous women must be equal in all areas," stressed Rukmini in an inclusive chat session held by KEMITRAAN on September 27 2023.
Toro traditional women view nature as wisdom. There is a philosophy of life that is still firmly adhered to by the Toro indigenous people. Where the Toro indigenous people have long been taught that they must maintain good relations with the creator, fellow humans and the forest.
“Previously the government grouped women in the PKK community. "I assume that this community represents the voices of Toro traditional women, but in fact it doesn't," he explained.
According to him, traditional Toro women have a very strategic role. In Toro culture, there are pobolia ada (women as custodians of customs), pangalai baha (women as part of resolving cases), and potavari bisa (women as peacemakers).
Toro traditional women are also the main spearheads in carrying out documentation to determine their traditional territory. So, when indigenous women are not involved in managing natural resources, the results will not be in accordance with what the community wants.
Building self-confidence, increasing capacity and negotiating with the government at both village and sub-district levels are the first steps in Rukmini's struggle. One of them is pushing for a customary forest scheme, so that Toro customary land is recognized by the state. “We have got 1347 hectares of land recognized. "However, that is not the area we proposed but is in accordance with the area determined by the government," he added.
The majority of people here are traditional farmers. For generations, they have used the forest as a source of livelihood. Their need for food is met by using the forest for gardening (pobonea), planting rice (pae), corn (galigoa), rica (mariha) and vegetables (uta-uta). They are also prohibited from using pesticides in farming.
"We have automatically implemented a moratorium in accordance with customary values since 2009. We feel that we have had enough just farming and rice fields instead of being laborers."
Based on local wisdom, the Toro Traditional Community divides forests into several levels or categories (zones) according to the knowledge and use determined by their ancestors. For example, wana ngkiki, namely the forest zone at the top of the mountain dominated by grass, moss and shrubs. This zone has no human activity because it is considered a source of fresh air (winara) for the Toro people.
Rukmini said that women are at the forefront of protecting forests in zones created using local wisdom. When there was illegal felling of trees in these zones, Toro women were the first to protest to traditional institutions. He said that Toro women have higher access to control over the management of natural resources.
As tina ngata, she plays an important role in decision making in providing a deterrent effect to forest destroyers. If women's voices are not respected, it is the same as allowing the forest to be destroyed.
Since 2020, he has also created safe schools and traditional schools as places to teach regional languages, traditional craft making, customary law and cultural traditions. Also, local wisdom in managing natural resources to maintain ecological balance for the younger generation. "It is the responsibility of Toro traditional women so that the next generation can continue the struggle and sustainable management of natural resources," added Rukmini.
He emphasized that the struggle for recognition of indigenous women will never be realized and maintained when women's struggle is only seen as women's interests. The philosophy of life that the Toro people have always believed in should be seen as a collective struggle. Where maintaining local wisdom and natural resources is the same as maintaining life together.
"Also, how can inclusion programs reach all marginalized groups, one of which is indigenous women with disabilities," he concluded.
