Pangkur:
Sethitik kang den tindakna // Ibu Bumi nyata wiwit ngadili // Ingkang wujud pagebluk // Kanti aran corona // Gawe goreh sedayanya dadi bingung // Wis akih ingkang pralaya // Larang pangan nguwatiri //
Ewodene tetep ana // Sing paring lilah ngkrusak Ibu Bumi // Nambang den prentah trus laju // Kroso yen banget nantang // Apa iki melu sing katut dikukut // Amung ngenteni sangat // Corona bakal mungkasi //
(A little things is done by Mother Earth, as a sign that Mother Earth has begun “JUDGING” with the Corona outbreak. The incident has confused all people. Threatens to the difficulty in getting food)
(However, there are still those who order the destruction of the Earth Mother (mining) to continue. This clearly challenges the Mother Earth. Is this the part that will be “Cleaned” with corona? Presumably only a matter of time, the corona will end it all)
Covid-19 pandemic handling in Indonesia continues to be carried out along with the scope of its spread that is increasingly widespread not only in big cities, but also in villages. In the regions, this condition is also a concern of indigenous peoples, as it happened in Kendeng, Central Java and Cimanuk, West Java.
In Kendeng, residents who mostly work as farmers, undertake various joint initiatives. This was told in a virtual discussion activity organized by Publish What You Pay (PWYP) Indonesia titled “Indigenous Peoples in the Middle of the Covid-19 Pandemic” on Sunday (4/17/20). The PWYP Knowledge Forum (PKF) presents Gunretno, Sedulur Sikep the Kendeng Mountains Community Care Network (JMPPK), and Asep Hermawan (Ki Maher), representatives from the Incuputu Pangauban Community, Cimanuk, West Java.
On his occasion, Gunreto told the condition of indigenous peoples in Kendeng during the pandemic. According to him, everyone including the Kendeng community was affected by this pagebluk (plague). But in these difficult times, it seems that farmers are better prepared. Gunretno explained the initiatives he had undertaken with JMPPK and inspired many circles.
For Seduler Sikep, the impact of covid-19 made them better prepared to maintain food security through their farm barns, not only for the needs of Wong Samin – another name for Sedulur Sikep in Kendeng – but also to help ‘Sedulur’ (brothers in arms) in the city especially the poor / vulnerable people. “When Kendeng entered the harvest period, we held back from selling it, so that we could help Sedulur in the affected cities. Later, it was noted that 9 tons of rice had been distributed. ” Said Gunretno.
“We also discussed with the Department in various regions in Central Java about the problem and what contribution Sedulur Sikep can do to protect food sovereignty. Because, Wong Samin chose to caring the others community outside who were affected and threatened to be unable to fulfil their food needs.” He added.
For Gunretno, this pagebluk should be opened the eyes of the government and the wider community to the importance of the peasant’s role which is often underestimated. Therefore, he invites anyone to plant and help build the balance of nature.
On the other hand, Gunretno regrets that although the farmers in his area have been educated to keep their distance, the cement miners, on the contrary, still continue to carry out operations and even work overtime. This was revealed where on Wednesday (4/22/20), a viral video circulated during the peaceful action of the residents of Kendeng, which coincided with Earth Day, was voicing that the mining activities were temporarily stopped. However, these efforts get opposition from local guards. In fact, the Kendeng women at that time actually wanted to remind the government advice to limit all activities. This action was also carried out in the nuances of Kartini Day, which is celebrated on April 21, 2020.
While in Garut, Ki Maher said that until April 17, 2020, there were at least 7 people who were exposed to co-19 and caused panic among residents. Moreover, the impact of co-19 also caused a number of incident such as mass layoffs in the city and cases of theft of plants belonging to residents in the villages.
For Kang Asep, his nickname, the Incuputu Pangauban Community sees this pandemic phenomenon as a sign that the earth is reforming itself. “When the time comes, there will be a Bera Gede, the form of judge to all of us by the earth. Therefore, the focus of Incuputu is more or less the same as that of Kang Gun, that is, it is necessary to takes reflect ourselves so that we are all able to respect our motherland for a prosperous life and soul.” He said.
The PKF as a result of collaboration between PWYP Indonesia, JMPPK, and the Institute for Ecological Study (IFESt) was carried out in response to the Covid-19 response. More than 90 participants follow the discussion enthusiastically which lasted for two hours via Zoom and youtube. In the Q&A session, one of the participants thanked JMPPK, because the produce from Kendeng community was well received by the urban poor groups in Jakarta. This initiative later became an inspiration to the other food solidarity movements. (WC/AA)