On Thursday, February 23, 2023 – HuMa Indonesia Association together with PEREMPUAN AMAN held a Mini Festival and Traditional Women’s Indigenous Knowledge Discussion featuring 4 Great Women with various backgrounds discussing local knowledge that showcases the greatness of Indigenous Women as well as the policy of Indigenous Women’s Collective Rights as a key implementation of the Cultural Advancement Law. In addition to the discussion, HuMa and PEREMPUAN AMAN presented some photos, handicrafts, and processed agricultural products done by indigenous communities from their respective areas of learning and organization. The event was also marked by the Tulak-Bala Indigenous Ritual performed by Mrs. Niliani, an Indigenous Woman from East Barito as a blessing for the ongoing activities.

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### INDIGENOUS WOMEN ARE THE KEY TO LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

The facts about the local knowledge possessed by Indigenous Women are endless. They master and understand their knowledge very well. “When it comes to choosing seeds, we are careful in selecting which good seeds to plant. Moreover, in making holes to plant the seeds, we are the ones who know. If men plant the seeds, they may scatter,” said Nilaini.

Apart from farming, two Indigenous Women from To Cerekang also have flagship cosmetics made from their indigenous area. They create 3 types of powder, namely bolong powder or black scrub, rica powder for children, and rica powder for adults. Fatmawati explained, “The ingredients for making these powders are taken from the yards around the house, the demplot that the mothers shape. Together, we build a demplot that is used to develop traditional materials and process them into cosmetics that can be sold.”

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### INDIGENOUS WOMEN: DRIVING FORCE & PRESERVER OF LOCAL KNOWLEDGE

Local knowledge is a fundamental part of our nation. When talking about Bhineka Tunggal Ika, this is part of the culture built, woven, and diligently maintained by Indigenous Women. The products in the exhibition are proudly made using woven fabrics, a knowledge built by Indigenous Women based on their indigenous areas. This is a fundamental asset. Symbolically worn, when discussed, disappears. The main actors, the Indigenous Women, will also disappear.

Devi Anggraini, representing PEREMPUAN AMAN, stated, “Local Knowledge emphasizes 2 things. Firstly, the indigenous community movement is considered as one entity ‘indigenous community.’ Indigenous Women are not seen as actors and holders of special rights. Indigenous Women do not have adequate rights: Indigenous Women are considered to be regulated under women’s rights as individual rights; or indigenous community rights. However, there are specific conditions experienced by Indigenous Women, which are not accommodated by women’s rights as individuals and indigenous community rights as entities. Secondly, the threat to Indigenous Women’s traditional knowledge through several policies that do not support the existence of Indigenous Women’s collective rights. PEREMPUAN AMAN and HuMa want to include Indigenous Women’s collective rights in the Indigenous Community Bill. But we from PEREMPUAN AMAN want to ensure that the interests and perspectives of Indigenous Women are directly accommodated in this Bill.”

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### CULTURAL ADVANCEMENT POLICY: A WAY OUT?

The local knowledge held by Indigenous Women is part of cultural values. To what extent is protection provided to Indigenous Women regarding this wealth of local knowledge? Law Number 5 of 207 regarding Cultural Advancement is one of the legal bases that provide protection and advancement services. This policy includes 10 Cultural Objects that not only have spiritual values but also how they impact the economic development of Indigenous Women.

In the presentation, Kristiati Ariani as a Representative of the Directorate of Belief in YME God and Indigenous Communities said, “Since 2020, there has been advocacy services by KMA. Advocacy services for Belief in YME God and Indigenous Communities. We receive complaints. So if later groups of mothers, both in Cerekang and in Barito, need services on how to negotiate with stakeholders. Our hope is that we can help. The problem is, sometimes women are confused. If there are services, how do they convey it? What is conveyed? For example, there is an area for rituals, when corporations enter, they do not see the meaning of that place. It is only seen as a big commodity. Whereas for indigenous communities, it is a sacred place. The corporate side does not see that.”

“This service is maximized and enhanced by KMA. Starting in 2023, we, as the Directorate of Culture, have reorganized the Regional Cultural Preservation Centers at the Provincial level to become Cultural Heritage Preservation Centers. The traditional knowledge that was preserved earlier can be recorded as Intangible Cultural Heritage. When there is knowledge of weaving, it can be recorded in our Regional Centers. This program is our effort to record and protect objects for cultural advancement,” she added.