Forest Cosmology : A Study of the Talang Mamak Tribe in the Rantau Langsat Tourism Village, Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park
Keywords:
Talang Mamak Tribe; Cosmology; Forest; ConservationAbstract
Talang Mamak is one of the indigenous tribes living in Riau that has been practicing sustainable subsistences and conservation for hundreds of years, which is a clear evidence of their worldwiew that considers ecology and cultures as two inseparable entities.This research explores the cosmological constructs of the Talang Mamak tribe and their manifestation in forest management practices in Bukit Tiga Puluh National Park (TNBT). This research employs a descriptive qualitative approach. We conducted in-depth interview with indivuduals deemed to meet our established criteria. Furthermore, we obtained data through participant observation. Then, a documentaru studies were also conducted to obtain secondary data to complement the primary data.The results show that for the Talang Mamak tribe, the forest is not only a resource but also a living entity that functions as a spiritual center, a source of food and medicine, and an archive of collective knowledge. This cosmology is manifested in a traditional zoning system, sustainable farming practices, and spiritual norms that prevent excessive exploitation. This study concludes that the local wisdom of the Talang Mamak tribe offers a practical and adaptive conservation model, which is relevant to be developed within the framework of co-management of conservation areas. These findings enrich the discourse of political ecology and environmental anthropology by emphasizing the integration between local knowledge systems and state conservation policies.
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