Project

Navigating Indigeneity: Empowerment, Exploitation, and the Struggle for Land among the Orang Rimba

This research investigates the complex interplay of empowerment and exploitation experienced by the Orang Rimba, an indigenous hunter-gathered group in Indonesia. This study focuses on their current struggle for land rights towards socio-political and economic pressures. It analyzes how the Orang Rimba navigate their indigeneity within a framework of external influences and internal community dynamics. The research aims to shed light on the broader implications of indigenous land rights and the mechanisms of empowerment and exploitation affecting indigenous communities

Background

Indigenous communities worldwide face unique challenges in maintaining their cultural heritage and securing their rights in the face of globalization. The Orang Rimba, a nomadic group living in the rainforests of Sumatra, Indonesia, exemplify these struggles. Historically marginalized, they confront significant threats from deforestation, land encroachment, and governmental policies that often prioritize economic development over indigenous rights. This study examines the legal pluralism in the context of indigenous land rights and the impact of external forces exploiting their indigeneity towards land possession. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for developing effective strategies for indigenous empowerment and sustainable land management.

Project description

This PhD research project employs a multidisciplinary approach to explore the dynamics of empowerment and exploitation among the Orang Rimba. Utilizing ethnographic methods, including participant observation, interviews, and archival research, the study aims to document the lived experiences of the Orang Rimba in their struggle for land rights. The project will analyze how legal pluralism applied on this indigenous community as well as external factors exploiting their identity as indigenous for land grabbing. Additionally, the research will investigate the role of advocacy and support networks in amplifying the Orang Rimba's voices. By providing a comprehensive understanding of these issues, the project seeks to contribute to policy discussions and initiatives aimed at promoting indigenous rights and sustainable land use.