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Plants of Boti, and their uses in the traditions of Boti, West Timor, Indonesia.
Abstract
The people of Boti in West Timor, Indonesia, still perform their earth-based traditional belief
system called Uis Neno ma Uis Pah. The community’s way of life is integral to the natural world in
which they live. The deep respect they have for the natural world is expressed in the ceremonies
and taboos that the people of Boti adhere to. While people from outside of Boti experience crop
failure, the people of Boti experience a good harvest. While outsiders exploit the land, Boti people
have a calendar system that is strictly followed allowing the land to be restored. This calendar
includes a special day each week when the land is to be allowed to rest and may not be touched
by humans. According to the people of Boti – harmony is a balance between the relationship of;
humans to each other, humans to nature, and humans to the ancestor or Divine Being.
This book has listed more than 70 important plants found in Boti along with the plant’s use as;
food, drink, fodder, medicine, construction material, household furnishings and for rituals. This
book reminds us that most of what we need in life can be found in nature if we show our respect
and continue to care of our natural environment.
This study focuses on the potential for sustainable use of M. cochinchinensis, a yellow dye used in Javanese soga batik. Prices paid for M. cochinchinensis heartwood at the start of the value–chain (IDR 1,000/kg [USD 0.071/kg]) in West Timor are low, despite depleted wild stocks. Bulk suppliers to the batik industry in Java, however, sell M. cochinchinensis dye–wood at IDR 21,000/kg (USD 1.50/kg), trying to source this heartwood at low prices. Although we estimated 14.12 stems/ha, most (87%) were small stems (< 10 cm basal circumference [BC], 11.53 stems/ha). M. cochinchinensis dye is heartwood from large diameter (> 29 cm BC) stems (0.8 stems/ha [5.5%]). Recruitment of medium and large stems is poor due to browse of small stems by livestock. Wild stocks are unlikely to sustain current commercial demand. Natural mortality rates of this dense (c. 0.8 g/cm3) hardwood species are low, so we also concluded that the option of sustainable harvesting deadwood based on natural mortality rates was not economically viable. The most appropriate ways forward are first, to conserve M. cochinchinensis populations in remnant le’u (“sacred”) forests and maintain “trellis trees” in the surrounding landscape. Second, to promote M. cochinchinensis cultivation along wooden fence lines (bahan). Implementation of “living fences” at a large scale is possible, also improving food security by reducing livestock damage to crops. Third, to develop niche markets paying fair prices for sustainably harvested M. cochinchinensis dye–wood. Studi ini difokuskan pada potensi pemanfaatan secara berkelanjutan dari M. cochinchinensis, yaitu pewarna kuning yang digunakan pada resep soga oleh pembatik di Jawa. Harga yang dibayarkan kepada pemanen hati kayu M. cochinchinensis yang berada pada rantai pasar paling pertama di Timor Barat tergolong rendah (Rp. 1000 / kg (USD 0,071 / kg), padahal stok liar yang layak panen telah habis. Akan tetapi, penjual grosir untuk industri batik di Jawa menjual hati kayu M. cochinchinensis dengan harga Rp 21.000 / kg (USD 1,50 / kg), padahal mereka membeli dengan harga rendah. Dari kepadatan populasi yang diperkirakan 14,12 batang / ha, sebagian besar (87%) adalah batang kecil (< 10 cm lingkar basal (BC), 11,53 batang / ha). Bagian yang menghasilkan warna dari M. cochinchinensis adalah hati kayu dari batang berdiameter besar (> 29 cm BC) (0,8 batang / ha (5,5%). Tingkat kelangsungan hidup batang berukuran sedang dan besar tidak bagus karena anakan dimakan ternak. Stok liar tidak mungkin bisa menopang permintaan komersial saat ini. Oleh karena tingkat kematian alami dari jenis kayu keras dan padat ini cukup rendah (c. 0.8 g / cm3) kami menyimpulkan bahwa pemanenan kayu mati tidak layak secara ekonomi. Jalan untuk menjaga ketersediaan tumbuhan ini terdiri dari tiga tahap. Pertama, melestarikan populasi M. cochinchinensis di sisa hutan le’u (hutan keramat) dan memelihara “pohon terali” di area sekitarnya. Kedua, mempromosikan pembudidayaan M. cochinchinensis di garis pagar kayu (bahan). Penerapan “pagar hidup” dalam skala besar dimungkinkan, dan akan meningkatkan ketahanan pangan dengan mengurangi kerusakan kebun oleh ternak. Ketiga, mengembangkan pasar khusus yang mau membayar harga yang wajar untuk kayu pewarna M. cochinchinensis yang dipanen secara berkelanjutan.
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