Tanah Kita is a documentary film mini-series that captures good practices of forest and land management by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities and their full engagement to ensure their rights and access to forests and land to promote sustainable livelihoods from the lands they inhabit or manage.
There are 9 episodes representing 7 regions and 2 representations, namely: “Taneuh Urang” (Java), “Women of Tanah Sabrang” (Local Communities-Jember), “My Forest My Life” (Kalimantan), “Marapu Calling” (Nusa Tenggara), “Weaving for Our Land” (Maluku), “Ngata Toro People and Their Stories” (Sulawesi), “Saribra People's Source of Life Sea” (Papua), “Jang Kupi” (Sumatra) and “Fiber Wood Keepers of Cultural Heritage” (Indigenous Women-Jayapura).
The film is a collaboration between Samdhana Institute and Rekam Nusantara Foundation through the film production unit of Indonesia Nature Film Soceiaty (INFIS), a film production unit based in Bogor, West Java dedicated to developing and introducing Indonesia's natural and cultural wealth through audio-visual or documentary films.
Wednesday (05/06) for the first time the film was shown to the public, two episodes of which were shown at the Forestry Innovation Festival of the Vocational School of Gajah Mada University (UGM) related to the theme of Javanese Forest management, by inviting the characters in the film. With the hope that this is not just a ceremonial event but direct involvement of local communities in their dedication to protecting their customary and communal lands.
In line with the theme, the films shown at the release event were episodes of 'Taneuh Urang' from Cibarani (West Java) and 'Perempuan Tanah Sabrang' from Jember (East Java).
Taneh Urang tells about the initiatives of the Kasepuhan Pasir Eurih and Cibarani Indigenous Peoples who have lived for centuries in the institutions of deep-rooted local wisdom. They depend on the forest and its sustainability for their livelihoods.
While the episode Perempuan Tanah Sabrang is the journey of Sabrang forest tenant farmers in Jember to get management through Social Forestry cannot be separated from the role of their women fighters.
Sabrang Forest, which used to be a residential area, has now become a forest managed by the Sabrang Mandiri farmer group.
The land is replanted with perennials, producing pete, jengkol, avocado, jackfruit and durian. This is their effort to preserve the forest. In between the perennials, they plant chilies, papaya, corn, coffee, bananas and crystal guava. They also plant unproductive lands that are empty.
The uniqueness and wisdom of their culture is blended with today's life through Hutan Adat. They benefit from ecotourism activities in their area and develop superior local varieties of plants.
The 9-episode film was also screened specifically in the studio space provided in the side event of the UGM Vocational School Forestry Innovation Work Festival.
By presenting this film to the public space, we hope that the general public can get alternative documentary shows, especially about the environment where this film is a learning film from the ability of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to manage forests, not only as beneficiaries but also managers of activities. As well as promoting the ability of indigenous peoples and local community organizations in their active role in responding to the challenges of climate change. They have proven themselves to be the best guardians of the world's forests and valuable ecosystem services. Despite the lack of access to funding and/or legal support.
Watch the entire episode here. Follow their progress on Instagram: @Inaturefilms
