Ritual Adat in Tanjung Pinang: Harmonization between Man and Nature

Thursday, October 3, 2024, dawned with the sun shining brightly over the quiet village of Tanjung Pinang, where the community began their day with a shared sense of purpose. It was a day of deep significance, as preparations were underway for the village’s Ritual Adat. The ritual was set to take place at the Jaya Bumi Paser site, a production facility and new residential area nestled in the heart of East Kalimantan’s Paser Regency.

Villagers gathered early in the morning, ready to participate in the age-old tradition of gotong royong, working together in harmony to bring the ritual to life. The air was filled with anticipation and the sounds of chatter, as men and women carefully prepared offerings, such as arranged sesajen as an act of devotion.

The Jaya Bumi Paser facility had been transformed for the day. Tents and chairs had been set up at the front of the site, ready to welcome a variety of esteemed guests. Among the attendees were Leonardus Herwindo, CEO of Indika Nature; Rudy Karno, the head of Tanjung Pinang village; Saliman, the head of customs of Tanjung Pinang Village; representatives of the local security officer (Babinsa), traditional elders, and several Indika Nature employees. Villagers and employees alike stood ready to witness and support the rituals that would unfold.

At the heart of the ceremony was Saliman, the head of customs, who led the proceedings with a quiet authority steeped in generations of tradition. The ritual began with a gesture of respect and gratitude to the ancestors and the natural world. Concluded with a procession around the facility, a symbolic act representing the harmony between the modern world and the age-old customs that continue to guide the people of Tanjung Pinang.

The Ritual Adat was a way for the village to honor their ancestors, recognizing the enduring connection between past and present. “We believe that by respecting one another, valuing our shared humanity, and upholding the spirit of gotong royong, all our endeavors will thrive, bringing benefits not only to the people of Tanjung Pinang but also to the environment that sustains us all,” said Rudy Karno, the village head, capturing the essence of the day’s events.

Leonardus Herwindo reflected on the significance of the ritual in the context of Indika Nature’s purposes. “In our business, Indika Nature is focused on providing nature-based solutions, always striving to maintain harmonization between humanity and the environment. This ritual is one of our efforts to ensure harmony between our presence at Jaya Bumi Paser, the indigenous communities that have been here long before us, and the natural world around us. We hope this ceremony fosters lasting harmony among all involved, as well as with the environment that we all share as our home.”