Loss of Territory Threatens Indigenous Knowledge and Culture

Indigenous communities in Indonesia are facing a severe crisis, not only from the direct threat of land loss but also from the severance of valuable knowledge and traditions passed down through generations. The protection of indigenous rights must encompass not just the preservation of living spaces but the entirety of the traditions, languages, and cultural values that thrive within them. "What needs to be protected is not just the territory, but also the good practices within it, including the language, terminology, and values that accompany it. Because that is where our knowledge system lives and where the human-nature relationship is formed," said Wiwin Indiarti, an indigenous woman from the Osing community in Banyuwangi, East Java, during the launch event for the National Data on Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities Conserved Areas and Territories (ICCAs) 2026 in Jakarta. According to Indiarti, the greatest threat facing indigenous communities today is not just the loss of territory, but the disruption of knowledge transmission. When living spaces are lost, she explained, it is not just forests, fields, or livelihoods that disappear; local languages, cultural values, and even the ways communities understand their relationship with nature can slowly vanish. "Yet, that is where our knowledge system lives," she emphasized. Amidst these numerous challenges, intergenerational succession is becoming an increasingly significant issue. It is not easy, she noted, to engage young generations in cultural activities or advocacy for indigenous communities. "It is very difficult to even get young people to move beyond things they consider fun," Indiarti stated. Despite this, some young individuals who joined the Osing community activities since high school have demonstrated good leadership capacity, but their numbers remain limited. Therefore, new approaches are needed to help the younger generation re-recognize their cultural identity. "If the Osing identity is lost, then what is lost is not..." she expressed, highlighting the urgency of the situation. Source: Mongabay Indonesia