| Abstract: |
| Simpukng are forest or fruit gardens that are common among the Dayak people in East Kalimantan. These Simpukng develop from secondary forests, generally planted with valuable species of fruits, rattan, bamboo, timber and other desirable species. The structure and complexity of simpukng resemble natural wild forests. Most simpukng are ‘owned’ by families and individual members maintain access to them. Some are managed on a communal basis. Individually controlled simpukng are inherited by children after the death of the owner. Complex customary Dayak rules exist that control the use and inheritance of these simpukng thus avoiding the over-exploitation of resources in these simpukng.
Simpukng are managed agroforests and the intensity of management (primarily weeding, pruning and cleaning operations) varies with the type and value of products harvested. Although men do the more heavy work of regular cleaning, women are active in the seed selection, planting, harvesting and processing of products. Simpukng provide a range of products – both for household consumption and sale - fruits, vegetables, medicines, fire wood, honey, rattan, bamboos, and timber. Some products are essential for performing certain rituals and ceremonies in Dayak societies. Knowledge about the valuable plants, their habitat inside simpukng, necessary management and use is relatively rich and utilitarian among the Dayak communities. |
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