Traditions Threatened by Illegal Logging: Riau, Sumatra

By Barrie | August 29th, 2007 | No Comments

src="http://www.planetmole.org/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/jalur.jpg" alt="jalur.jpg" /> Fatimah cheered as she watched a couple of jalur — long traditional race boats powered by up to 50 oarsmen — racing along the Batang Narosa River in Teluk Kuantan, in Riau. At the ripe old age of 62, the grandmother of 11 eagerly cheered on the oarsmen as she held her three-year-old grandchild.

“Faster, faster,” she yelled in the local tongue.

Fatimah wasn’t the least distracted by the scorching sun, nor showed any signs of fatigue from the seven-hour bus ride from Ujung Batu.

“Look at that … a boat has overturned!” she exclaimed when a boat tipped over and the crew members were thrown overboard.
Fatimah was one of thousands of spectators who attended the traditional jalur competition in Teluk Kuantan, the capital of Kuantan Singingi regency in Riau province, which was opened by Riau Governor HM Rusli Zainal on Aug. 25.

People from neighboring regencies and provinces, as well as those in Kuantan Sengingi, participated in the event.

The jovial atmosphere at the festival seemed to surpass that of the Idul Fitri holidays. “Kuantan Sengingi residents residing outside the area often don’t return home during Idul Fitri … but they come home to watch the jalur boat race,” Fatimah said.

However, the annual event, which has been held since 1903, is at gradual risk of extinction. The tradition, which is included in Riau’s national tourism agenda, is likely to disappear due to illegal logging.

“It’s getting harder to obtain wood to build a jalur,” said an elder in Kuantan Sengingi, Edyanus Herman Halim, who has the honorary title of Datuk Bisai Orang Godang Koto Ditongah.

Edyanus said at least one large log is needed to build each jalur boat in Kuantan Sengingi.

Jalur are usually made from choice timber such as the kure and banio varieties, due to their durability and lightweight quality.

These varieties are quite straight and long, thus able to accommodate 60 oarsmen. However, these timber varieties are now quite difficult to find due to rampant logging and forest conversion to make way for farms and plantations.

“Jalur cannot be made from palm oil or akasia trees. If forest conversion continues unabated 10 to 20 years from now, the jalur boat race will become a thing of the past,” Edyanus said.

He urged the Riau administration and residents to work together to protect and preserve the forest to save the traditional jalur boat race, which is deeply-rooted in Kuantan Sengingi culture.

“It’s time for us to establish a traditional forest to preserve the timber to make jalur. It’s the only way to ensure the jalur boat race will survive. We must find a solution now if we want the tradition to exist for future generations.”

The move gained support from Governor Rusli, who said at the launch of the festival a traditional forest was imminent. He also encouraged forest-based companies in Riau to set aside land for the program.

“We support the establishment of such an area for the people and to save the jalur boat race,” Rusli said.

He added the event should be preserved due to its cultural value and also as a means to stimulate the local economy. Each time a jalur boat race is held, thousands of people, including foreign visitors, visit Teluk Kuantan — filling hotels, restaurants, markets and food centers.

“The local economy improves whenever the event is held.”

Managing director of PT Riau Andalan Pulp and Paper Rudi Fajar supported the idea of establishing a traditional forest in an effort to preserve the local tradition.

“We will support the program because it is in line with our mission to become more involved in the community and live in harmony alongside the people of Riau,” Rudi said.

As part of its social responsibility to preserve the traditional jalur boat race, the company sponsored the event by building bazaar stalls and providing three heads of cattle and a cash prize of Rp 10 million (approximately US$1,100) for the winner.

Rizal Harahap