Maintaining the dream of Teait tribes

In Sira Village, Saifi District, South Sorong Regency, West Papua Daya, Tehit tribe located in the territory of Knasaimos stood up was suspended against the time. Behind the modernity deru that cuts old roots, indigenous peoples keep the heart of nature that continue to pulsate for children. They are forest guards, a stronger heritage of the ancestors of the article and verses. This forest is their home, not just a conflict of trees but nafas, life, and an unpredictable promise.

Here in 1998 they unite the sound to establish the Council of the Association of the indigenous people (DPMA) Knasaimos which is a fortress of custom protection.

The years of the struggle of the Teait tribe in the territory of the Knasaimos custom is very long. From the time when the young voices that rise to grasp the pen to write resistance to policies that threaten the ancestor’s soil, such as oil expansion that lurries to climb their custom soil, come with a false promise of wellbeing. The forest that they treat with love is targeted to be profit figures.

The forest is not just a sunyi room, but the kitchen that never run out of the material. In their morning to the forest to pick the vegetable, catch the fish, and take the wild but full- meaningful drugs.

Among the towering sago stems, they find a simple but enough life. Sagu is a versatile tree, from roots to leaves is a symbol of sustainability for Teait tribes. If the sago is, then they lose their last breath.

“If the sago tree has not existed, it means the same as the wind is not blown again, the water does not flow again and the sun is no longer rising,” said the advisor of the Board of Association of indigenous people (DPMA) Knasaimos Agustinus Woloin.

Forest is also a story offered from one generation to the next generation. From the grandmother they learn to respect the big tree, take care of the river, and keep the balance of life.

There is no written law in the time of their ancestors, but there is more sturdy wisdom than the article. Today, Teait tribes fight so that the same law recognizes what we have become our rights for centuries.

They are not alone. In this struggle, Teait tribes are assisted by many parties including governments that come with science and support. In June 2024 South Sorong Regent submits the Decision Letter of the Acute Region to the Knasaimos community, which also covers the Suku Tehit. Aaron mixes laugh meet the testimony of the long journey.

However, their struggle has not been completed. Their forest should be recognised as a custom forest. Not for indigenous peoples but for our children and for the world that is exhausted by global heat.

Currently the middle Teait tribe struggled to strengthen the ancestor’s land as a custom forest, keeping life rate and protect the rimba where they hang hope, in order to no more oil companies and illegal tree logging who want to destroy their forest.

Photos and text: Rivan Awal Lingga