Ethno-Conservation of Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata) in Jambi Tulo: Integrating Local Knowledge, Cultural Values, and Ecological Ethics
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.32332/al-jahiz.v7i2.13181Keywords:
Community-driven environmental ethics, Ethnoecological practices, Indigenous resource stewardship, Intergenerational knowledge transfer, Sustainable livelihood frameworksAbstract
Sugar palms (Arenga pinnata) hold considerable ecological, economic, and socio-cultural importance for indigenous communities across Indonesia. Yet, rapid modernization and environmental changes have disrupted traditional practices of caring for these trees. This study aims to document and explore the ethno-conservation strategies used by the Jambi Tulo community in Jambi Province to conserve the palms. Adopting a qualitative approach, this research employed ethnographic methods. Fifteen key informants were purposively selected through snowball sampling. Data collection involved in-depth interviews, participant observation, and review of relevant documentation. Analysis was conducted through a descriptive-interpretive lens, guided by Miles and Huberman’s interactive model. The results of this study indicate that the management practices of sugar palm in Jambi Tulo embody conservation values that have contributed to maintaining the presence of sugar palm populations in the area over time. These practices are deeply rooted in local knowledge, cultural norms, and ecological awareness, and can be classified into five interconnected domains: spiritual beliefs and ecological ethics, ecological adaptations, management practices informed by local wisdom, sustainable use, and socio-cultural systems. However, the study also highlights pressing challenges, including declining interest among younger community members and economic pressures that threaten ongoing stewardship. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating indigenous knowledge and cultural values into policies and educational programs. By doing so, this research contributes to a deeper understanding of sugar palm ethnoecology in Sumatra, an area that has previously received limited attention.
References
Adalina, Y., & Sawitri, R. (2021). The vegetation structure and economic value of Arenga pinnata Merr by community surrounding forest of Mount Halimun Salak National Park, Indonesia. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 914(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/914/1/012024
Aji, I. M. L., & Syaputra, M. (2023). Viability and Growth of Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr.) on Various Seed Maturity Levels Using Natural Soaking Solutions. Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani, 3(5), 981–993. https://doi.org/10.55927/mudima.v3i5.4105
Amrul, H. M. Z. N. (2024). Peran Kearifan Lokal dalam Pelestarian Tumbuhan Obat dan Lingkungan di Sumatera Utara. Jurnal Ilmiah Biologi UMA (JIBIOMA), 6(2), 225–235. https://doi.org/10.31289/jibioma.v6i2.5115
Anggraini, T., Anwar, A., Hervani, D., Suhendra, D., Wisnusubroto, M. P., Nofilindawati, & Nasution, I. H. (2025). Quality of sugar palm sap (Arenga pinnata) from various production centers in West Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 26(2), 859–860. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d260234
Ariyadi, A., Hasan, A., & Muzainah, G. (2022). Karifan Lokal Dalam Pengelolaan Hutan di Kalimantan Tengah. Anterior Jurnal, 21(3), 11–16. https://doi.org/10.33084/anterior.v21i3.3597
Arofat, M. H., & Indrastuti, N. S. K. (2022). Pantun dan Mantra dalam Upacara Menumbai di Kabupaten Pelalawan, Provinsi Riau: Kajian Komposisi, Transmisi, dan Fungsi. Jurnal Multidisiplin Indonesia, 1(3), 1020–1033. https://doi.org/10.58344/jmi.v1i3.97
Artmann, M. (2023). Human-nature resonance in times of social-ecological crisis – a relational account for sustainability transformation. Ecosystems and People, 19(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1080/26395916.2023.2168760
Berkes, F. (2004). Rethinking Community‐Based Conservation. Conservation Biology, 18(3), 621–630. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00077.x
Berkes, F., Colding, J., & Folke, C. (2000). Rediscovery of Traditional Ecological Knowledge as Adaptive Management. Ecological Applications, 10(5), 1251–1262.
Brooks, J., Waylen, K. A., & Mulder, M. B. (2013). Assessing community-based conservation projects: A systematic review and multilevel analysis of attitudinal, behavioral, ecological, and economic outcomes. Environmental Evidence, 2(2), 1–34. https://doi.org/10.1186/2047-2382-2-2
Brown, N., McIlwraith, T., & González, L. T. de. (2020). Perspective: An Open Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (Second). American Anthropological Association.
Budiastuti, D., & Bandur, A. (2018). Validitas dan Reliabilitas Penelitian. In Metode Penelitian Pendidikan Matematika. Mitra Wacana Media.
Carrier, J. G. (2018). Moral economy: What’s in a name. Anthropological Theory, 18(1), 18–35. https://doi.org/10.1177/1463499617735259
da Silva, E. C., Guerrero-Moreno, M. A., Oliveira, F. A., Juen, L., de Carvalho, F. G., & Barbosa Oliveira-Junior, J. M. (2024). The importance of traditional communities in biodiversity conservation. Biodiversity and Conservation, 34, 685–714. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10531-024-02999-3
Fitriwati, Syahidah, Makkarennu, Syahid, M., & Syahwiah, A. (2021). Potential analysis of palm sugar industry development in Lombo Village, Sidrap District. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 886, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/886/1/012074
Gadgil, M., Berkes, F., & Folke, C. (1993). Indigenous Knowledge for Biodiversity Conservation. Ambio, 22(2), 151–156.
Gain, A. K., Hossain, S., Benson, D., Di Baldassarre, G., Giupponi, C., & Huq, N. (2021). Social-ecological system approaches for water resources management. International Journal of Sustainable Development & World Ecology, 28(2), 109–124. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504509.2020.1780647
Guest, G. (2015). Sampling and Selecting Participants in Field Research. In H. R. Bernard & C. C. Gravlee (Eds.), Handbook of Methods in Cultural Anthropology (Second). Rowman & Littlefield.
Gunawan, Husain, F., Wicaksono, H., & Saputri, N. C. (2025). Local Knowledge in the Utilization of Sugar Palm Trees by the Community at the Slopes of Mount Ungaran. KnE Social Sciences, 10(10), 24–32. https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v10i10.18647
Gunawan, R., Ramadhan, U. G., Iskandar, J., & Partasasmita, R. (2018). Local knowledge of utilization and management of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) among Cipanggulaan People of Karyamukti, Cianjur (West Java, Indonesia). Biodiversitas Journal of Biological Diversity, 19(1), 93–105. https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d190115
Haq, S. M., Pieroni, A., Bussmann, R. W., Abd-ElGawad, A. M., & El-Ansary, H. O. (2023). Integrating traditional ecological knowledge into habitat restoration: implications for meeting forest restoration challenges. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 19(33), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-023-00606-3
Janaki, M., Pandit, R., & Sharma, R. K. (2021). The role of traditional belief systems in conserving biological diversity in the Eastern Himalaya Eco-region of India. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 26(1), 13–30. https://doi.org/10.1080/10871209.2020.1781982
Jemian, M. H., Rammang, N., Sinaga, P. S., & Marimpan, L. S. (2025). Pengelolaan Hutan Berbasis Kearifan Lokal di Hutan Lindung Pong Dode, Kecamatan Lamba Leda Selatan, Kabupaten Manggarai Timur Maria. Journal of Innovative and Creativity, 5(3), 12620–12625. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.31004/joecy.v5i3.3650
Kadir, Z. S., Baderan, D. W. K., & ... (2025). Composition of species, utilization, and conservation status of plant species in the sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) agroforestry system. Social Agriculture, Food …, 2(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.61511/safses.v2i1.2025.1810
Latifah, S., Fachrudin, K. A., Hartini, K. S., Syahputra, O. H., Ulum, Z., Doufan Sihombing, L. A., Amelia, M., Aziz, F., Nainggolan, J., & Hawari, M. R. (2025). Utilization of non-timber forest products Arenga pinnata as a natural food source. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1445, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1445/1/012008
Marpaung, S. (2025). Buka-Tutup Bondang Ritual: Local Spirituality and Climate Adaptation in Sei Silau Village, North Sumatra. Renai, 11(2), 95–103.
Meidina, Wibowo, A. S., & Prathama, R. A. S. (2025). Physicochemical Analysis of Liquid Palm Sugar ( Arenga Pinatta Merr ). International Conference on Sustainable Environment and Innovation (ICoSEI) 2025. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.53675/icosei.v1i1.1600
Miles, M. B., Huberman, A. M., & Saldaña, J. (2014). Qualitative Data Analysis: A Method Sourcebook (Third). SAGE Publications, Inc.
Mogea, J., Seibert, B., & Smits, W. (1991). Multipurpose palms: the sugar palm (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr.). Agroforestry Systems, 13(2), 111–129. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00140236
Nawawi, M. H., Markum, & Budhy Setiawan. (2025). Analysis of Income of Palm Sugar Farmers (Arenga Pinnata) in Giri Madia Lingsar Community Forest, West Lombok District. International Journal of Contemporary Sciences (IJCS), 3(7), 67–82. https://doi.org/10.55927/qzzdja10
Niman, E. M., Tapung, M. mantovani, Ntelok, Z. R. E., & Darong, H. C. (2023). Karifan Lokal dan Upaya Pelestarian Lingkungan Air: Studi Etnografi Masyarakat Adat Manggarai, Flores, Nusa Tenggara Timur. Paradigma: Jurnal Kajian Budaya, 13(1), 1–16. https://doi.org/10.17510/paradigma.v13i1.1160
Ogwu, M. C., & Osawaru, M. E. (2022). Traditional Methods of Plant Conservation for Sustainable Utilization and Development. In Biodiversity in Africa: Potentials, Threats and Conservation (pp. 451–472). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-3326-4_17
Pretty, J., & Smith, D. (2004). Social Capital in Biodiversity Conservation and Management. Conservation Biology, 18(3), 631–638. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1523-1739.2004.00126.x
Rahayu, A. A. D., Leksono, B., Asmaliyah, Krisnawati, Rianawati, H., Umroni, A., Haryjanto, L., Widyatmoko, A. Y., Putri, A. I., Sudomo, A., Hani, A., Octavia, D., Andini, S., Khotimah, H., Mudhofir, M. R. T., Anggadhania, L., Winarni, I., Astarini, I. A., Artati, Y., & Baral, H. (2025). The potential of Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr. for enhancing soil health, food, energy, and water security in Indonesia: A comprehensive review. Trees, Forests and People, 20, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tfp.2025.100808
Samad, W., Ansyar, & Hamsah. (2024). Economic Potential Analysis Of Sugar Palm Cultivation As A Source of Sap In Jambu Malea Village , Tapango Sub-District. Journal Economic Resources, 8(1), 1221–1229.
Sele, J. P., & Mukundi, M. B. (2024). Community-Based Approaches to Environmental Conservation: Empowering Local Initiatives. Greener Journal of Social Sciences, 14(2), 289–299. https://doi.org/10.15580/gjss.2024.2.122024211
Taylor, B., Chapron, G., Kopnina, H., Orlikowska, E., Gray, J., & Piccolo, J. J. (2020). The need for ecocentrism in biodiversity conservation. Conservation Biology, 34(5), 1089–1096. https://doi.org/10.1111/cobi.13541
Verma, M., & Kumar, S. (2025). Traditional belief system in biodiversity conservation : A case study of Hurang Narayan sacred grove in Himachal Pradesh (N.W. Himalaya). Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies, 13(5), 22–36.
Wahyuni, D., Octavia, I. A., Karista, K., Sabna, A., & Martalia, M. (2025). The Religious Cosmology of Indigenous Communities for Maintaining Ecological Balance in the Mentawai Islands, Indonesia. Millah: Journal of Religious Studies, 24(1), 137–172. https://doi.org/10.20885/millah.vol24.iss1.art5
Waqi`ah, G. R., & Sarjan, M. (2025). Menggali Kearifan Lokal : Solusi Berkelanjutan untuk Pengelolaan Sumber Daya Alam. Lambda Jurnal Ilmiah Pendidikan MIPA Dan Aplikasinya, 5(1), 115–126. https://doi.org/10.58218/lambda.v5i1.1207
Washington, H., Taylor, B., Kopnina, H., Cryer, P., & Piccolo, J. J. (2017). Why ecocentrism is the key pathway to sustainability. 1(1), 35–41.
Withaningsih, S., Parikesit, & Nurislamidini, H. (2021). Management Strategies of Palm Sugar (Arenga pinnata) Production on Extreme Landscapes of Rongga, West Bandung Regency. International Journal of Conservation Science, 12(2), 625–640. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.36868/ijcs
Yenrizal, Y., Sirozi, M., & Muhaimin, A. (2024). Environmental Wisdom Reflected in Uluan Pantun from a Symbolic Interactionism Perspective. Society, 12(1), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.33019/society.v12i1.622
Yudhiantami, A., Reynanda, R. D., Pertiwi, Y. A. B., & Wicaksono, R. L. (2021). Land suitability evaluation for Arenga pinnata cultivation as a source of traditional cuisine, Horog-Horog, in 3 districts of Jepara Regency, Central Java. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 824, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/824/1/012024
Yulisinta, F., Murniati, J., & Eigenstetter, M. (2024). Spiritual Ecology and Indigenous Wisdom: Cultural Foundations for Sustainable Environmental Practices in Indonesia. Religious: Jurnal Studi Agama-Agama Dan Lintas Budaya, 8(3), 185–202. https://doi.org/10.15575/rjsalb.v8i3.20237
Zhou, D., & Xiao, M. (2024). Recent developments in anthropological methods for the study of complex societies. International Journal of Anthropology and Ethnology, 8(4), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41257-024-00105-7
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Fitri Astriawati, Bambang Hariyadi, Azizah Turrohmah, Winda Dwi Kartika, Cut Multahadah, Rahma Dani, Danial Mursyd, Ine Tentia
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
