For centuries, the people who dwell in and around the forests of South Sumatra have coexisted peacefully with one of the world’s most elusive and endangered predators: the Sumatran tiger (Panthera tigris sumatrae). Among these communities, the Semende people stand out with a unique cultural bond and unwritten pact with the striped guardian of the forest.
Tucked within a serene valley bordered by the mighty slopes of Mount Patah in Muara Enim Regency, the Semende have long understood that harmony with nature is not just tradition—it’s survival. But in the last decade, this fragile balance has started to show cracks.
The Land of Tigers and Tradition
The Semende people trace their origins back to the 17th century. Their homeland, sprawling across roughly 99,802 hectares, is a diverse ecosystem teeming with wildlife. This lush terrain—where Bukit Balai, Bukit Lumut Balai, and Bukit Bepagut rise like guardians—is both home to the Semende and a sanctuary for numerous native species, especially wild cats like the elusive Sumatran tiger.
In Semende culture, the forest is sacred, and the tiger is more than just a beast—it is a spiritual being, a protector, and in many legends, even a kin. Tales of tiger-human shapeshifters or “manusia harimau” still echo in local folklore. Importantly, no tradition of tiger hunting or blood sport exists among the Semende, a testament to their reverence for the animal.
Hasan Zen, a 70-year-old community elder, shares, “Since the time of our ancestors, we’ve lived in harmony with the tigers. We don’t disturb them, and they don’t disturb us.”
Rules of Respect
From a young age, every jeme (person) Semende is taught to avoid conflict—not just with fellow humans but with all creatures of the forest. One of the foundational customs prohibits building homes near rivers or springs. The reason is simple but profound: these are places the tigers frequent—for drinking, hunting, and resting. To build there would be to invite conflict.
And so, when the Semende clear land for farming, they do so with a respectful ritual. They offer prayers—not out loud, but in intention. “It’s about seeking permission. It’s about making peace with every being in the forest,” Hasan explains.
Their respect extends to the protected forests where tigers roam, such as Bukit Balai and Bukit Lumut Balai. These highland areas, designated as conservation zones by the government, are strictly off-limits for farming or any disruptive activity.
The Unexpected Visitor
Despite this deep-rooted harmony, something shifted in recent years. In early 2020, a Sumatran tiger descended from its forested realm and entered several villages in Semende. It began with sightings near Danau Deduhuk, followed by reports in Karya Nyata Village, Pulau Panggung, Muara Tenang, and Tanjung Agung. Eventually, the tiger was caught in a trap set by the South Sumatra Natural Resources Conservation Agency (BKSDA) in a coffee plantation in Pelakat Village.
Inside the trap was a goat—a bait too tempting for the tiger to ignore.
The appearance of this tiger was not just rare—it was unprecedented in recent memory. Hasan Zen admitted, “This is the first time in my life that a tiger entered our villages. We’ve always known they live in the mountains, far away from us.”
Sadly, the incidents didn’t end with sightings. In late 2019, five people across neighboring areas were killed in separate tiger attacks. These tragic events shocked the local communities and sparked concern about the changing dynamics between humans and tigers.
The Disappearing Forest Pathways
According to BKSDA South Sumatra, the Semende region is part of a broader tiger habitat known as the Jambul Nanti Patah Landscape. Covering about 282,727 hectares, this landscape spans five districts and borders Bengkulu Province. It forms a part of the majestic Bukit Barisan Selatan range, a biodiversity haven comprising highland and lowland forests.
Approximately 140,000 hectares of this area remain as natural forest—primary and secondary. The rest is increasingly being overtaken by shrubs, farms, and settlements. This fragmented landscape, while still vast, is losing the continuous forest corridors that are crucial for tiger mobility and safety.
Alongside tigers, this forest is home to the endangered Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus), the critically endangered pangolin (Manis javanica), Asian tapir, wild dogs (Cuon alpinus), siamang gibbons, leaf monkeys, sun bears, sambar deer, and the elusive golden cat (Catopuma temminckii).
But how many tigers still roam these forests? That remains unclear. Julita Pitria from BKSDA says population estimates are still being analyzed under the Sumatra-wide Tiger Survey (SWTS), a long-term monitoring effort.
Is Geothermal Development to Blame?
A pressing question looms over the Semende hills: Could recent geothermal energy projects be contributing to the tiger’s descent into human territory?
The geothermal activity, located near Bukit Balai and Bukit Lumut Balai, is potentially disturbing natural habitats. Surya Darma, Chair of the Indonesia Center for Renewable Energy Studies (ICRES), acknowledges the concern. He notes that many geothermal projects sit adjacent to conservation areas, increasing the risk of habitat disruption.
Still, Surya believes such risks can be managed with strict environmental assessments. “Projects like these must follow a thorough and transparent Environmental Impact Assessment (AMDAL). This includes meaningful community participation and concrete mitigation plans for both wildlife and water sources,” he emphasizes.
A Path Forward: Building Tiger Corridors
Experts and conservationists agree on a key solution: wildlife corridors. These are safe passageways—such as forested strips or green bridges—that connect fragmented habitats, allowing tigers and other wildlife to roam freely without encountering human settlements.
“Corridors are essential to prevent further conflict,” says Surya. “They help ensure that the tigers don’t feel trapped, and that humans aren’t caught off guard.”
Besides physical infrastructure, long-term solutions must include:
- Rigorous environmental oversight by local and national agencies
- Strengthened community education programs
- Inclusive conservation initiatives that empower local voices
These steps will take time, funding, and political will. But they are necessary to preserve not just the Sumatran tiger, but the centuries-old wisdom of communities like the Semende.
Harmony at a Crossroads
The Semende people have long walked a delicate path between tradition and change. As the modern world expands and climate pressures mount, that balance becomes harder to maintain. Still, their story offers hope—a reminder that coexistence is not a myth, but a model worth protecting.
In a world that often pits human needs against nature, the Semende stand as quiet custodians of a truth we desperately need to remember: The forest is not ours alone. It belongs to every being that calls it home, tiger included.
As the sun sets over Bukit Lumut Balai, and the jungle chorus begins its nightly song, one can only hope that harmony, once fractured, can be healed. And that the tiger will once again roam, not in fear or confusion, but with the grace of an ancient pact—respected, not forgotten.
