A Study on Bayan Community Perception Towards Awiq-awiq Local Wisdom Based Forest Management

Abstract

Local custom-based forest management conducted by Bayan community is one way of forest preservation. Local custom-based management is always guided by awiq awiq local wisdom. Awiq awiq is a customary law that is obligatory for Bayan people to obey. This law regulates the relationship between humans and other humans, nature, and God. A customary law regulating the relationship between humans and the nature is represented in the rules of forest management within Bayan community. This study aims to find out the perception of Bayan community towards the awiq awiq local wisdombased forest management. It is a qualitative study using in-depth interview as the method of data collection. The traditional leaders became the key informants while the supporting informants consisted of the head of Sub-District, Head on Bayan Village, and Bayan indigenous people. The data analysis was conducted in four stages, namely reduction, categorization, synthesis, and conclusion. The results show that the community has a positive perception towards awiq awiq in forest management. The community is still employing this law in their effort to maintain and conserve the forest sustainability.