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Monday, February 11, 2008

The Kubu people


Hi, I am Matthew or you can also call me Mr. Merapi .I guess if you have read the posts starting from the Hunter Gatherers of Indonesia
( I would advise you to start reading from here), you would be extremely baffled and bewildered by the enormous amount of information swirling through your head. As such, I could keep this short and sweet, but I have to introduce to you the KUBU people of Indonesia, and this could take a while. If you are extremely tired, you could always do not read my post and read it tomorrow. This way you can enjoy the presentation that is coming up.
(This does not mean this presentation is good…)


General Information

The Kubu people of Indonesia can be said as one of the last hunter gatherers living within and largely dependent upon the tropical forests of Indonesia. They are well adapted to the complex forest environment and live a nomadic lifestyle. As Francis says, these people mainly live in the island of Sumatra, around the Palembang and Jambi areas. The overall estimated population of this people is around 5000. Imagine having only 5000 people of your own kind. It’s quite sad isn’t it? The Kubu are gradually losing forest space as it is being converted for agricultural and urban development use. The Indonesia government is also trying to draw out all primitive ethnic groups into Indonesia’s economic and social mainstream.


More information

The name” Kubu” does not refer to a homogeneous tribal group but a culturally diverse group of people. They practice a combination of hunting and gathering and swidden agriculture. The main bulk of their food is derived from either wild or cultivated plants; the women are mostly responsible for this supply of food. The men supply wild game from the forest. However it can be said that without their unruly pack of dogs, which help track, locate and corner the game, the hunter would almost not be able to capture large game. Only when a wild animal has been cornered successfully would the hunter approach with his kujur to make the final kill.


Kubu lifestyle

The Kubu live in small groups and carry little personal possessions due to their need for high mobility. Apart from basic hunting tools, the most important of which are the multi-purpose bush-knife and the two and a half metre long spear, the kujur, the only other possessions of an average Kubu family include cooking pots, rattan mats, handmade baskets for collecting and storing tubers, rice and other crops which may be dried and easily kept, and bars of resin which are used to provide light at night. Whoa, I wonder how the kids feel about having so little stuff, I certainly would not like it.


The Kubu live in only small encampments, usually comprising three and eight huts. These huts are simple platforms with a roof of leaves. These huts are usually raised above the ground and are portable for easy dismantling. How uncomfortable is that? Maybe next time when you lose you fancy Nike Shirt or shoes, think about how these people feel when they lose their precious stuff and try not to whine about it…


Interaction with the outside world


The Kubu may live in isolation, but they do trade with settled villagers with daman and animal skins for vital commodities such as metal, salt, tobacco and sugar. Once the proud hunters of the Sumatran jungle, in recent years the Kubu have seen their forest territories shrink from construction of logging roads and highways. The growing pressures of the modern world would soon reach into the Kubu camps, through curious visitors, trade and settlers.


I hope that you have greatly benefited from this presentation. Whoa, there a Kubu hunter with his kujur behind you! Just joking. Anyway if you have any information of the Kubu people, I would really like to know. Thanks!


Vocabulary: Kujur = a hunters spear, usually 2 metres long.
Daman = a type of resin; a natural forest product.

Oh and here’s a little video of Kubu dances. Enjoy. ( it might be that nice but at least it’s something…..)

Matthew/Mr Merapi signing off.....Til next time!!!



[7:02 AM]


Posted at 7:02 AM, 3 Comment(s)


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