Advancing 'Natural Autonomy' in the Negeri of Honitetu - Nudua Siwa, West Seram

Abstract

"Honitetu is a traditional village in the Kairatu subdistrict (Kecamatan) of West Seram. It is located 24 kilometers from the subdistrict seat, and consists of six hamlets, including Honitetu itself (the administrative centre of the village), also Rumatita, Imabatai, Sokawati, Urasana, and Uraur.

Another name for Honitetu is Nudua Siwa, meaning 'nine mouths'. Originally, the village comprised nine hamlets or kampung, i.e., Rumatita, Imabatai, Honitetu, Sokawati (previously known as Solibatai), Ursana, Uraur, Nunaya, Nui and Lakubutui. Each hamlet consisted of several clans, bound into a single soa. A soa is headed by a chief, or Kepala Soa. The nine Kepala Soa all sit on the Saniri council of Honitetu'Nudua Siwa, as they have done for generations.

"The livelihoods of villagers in Honitetu derive from farming and hunting. There are numerous traditional ceremonies closely related to forest areas surrounding the village. In addition, there are many sacred sites spread about the forest, where rituals are performed. These rituals usually involve consuming game and other products secured from the forest. Additionally, the forest is source of a variety of medicinal plants used by villagers to treat common ailments.

"Clearly, the forest plays a very important role in the lives of Honitetu/Nudua Siwa villagers, in terms of meeting their day-to-day needs, and other important purposes as well."