Indonesia, an archipelagic nation situated along the Ring of Fire, shares its geographical vulnerability with other countries in Maritime Southeast Asia, including the Philippines, Singapore, Brunei, and East Timor. This region frequently experiences natural disasters that significantly impact local populations. Indonesia, in particular, has faced nearly every type of natural disaster, ranging from earthquakes and tsunamis to volcanic eruptions. Additionally, the country faces climate-induced hazards such as flooding, drought, landslides, and forest fires.
These recurring challenges have compelled communities to adapt and live in harmony with natural phenomena, fostering the development of local knowledge or local wisdom and practices that enhance resilience. In this article, I will explore two case studies—tsunamis and volcanic eruptions—examining how local knowledge plays a critical role in community resilience and disaster management.
Tsunami
As an Indonesian, I have personally witnessed two major natural disasters—tsunamis and volcanic eruptions—since childhood. I am Sundanese, originally from West Java Province, located on Java Island, one of the largest islands in the country. Reflecting on the history of tsunamis in Indonesia, the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami stands out as a devastating event. Triggered by a 9.1 magnitude earthquake with its epicenter near Aceh, the tsunami produced waves as high as 51 meters, affecting not only Indonesia but also neighboring countries such as Thailand and Sri Lanka. Although the disaster occurred on Sumatra Island, the tremors were felt as far as Java Island. This catastrophic event claimed over 200,000 lives and caused an estimated $10 billion in economic losses.
Imagine a small island near Aceh being struck by a tsunami, leaving its residents with little chance to escape. Yet, despite the devastation, only seven people from Simeulue Island were among the 200,000 fatalities reported. Simeulue, a small island in Aceh Province, lies about 150 kilometers from the North Sumatra mainland, measuring 32 kilometers wide and 105 kilometers long.
The community of Simeulue relies on a unique word, Smong, as a life-saving warning to evacuate to higher ground during a tsunami. According to Syafwina (2014), Smong translates to "splash of water" or "tidal wave," referring specifically to a tsunami. This term is deeply embedded in the island’s cultural practices, appearing in local poems and lullabies that frame natural phenomena as part of daily life. For example, a Smong (splash of water) signifies bathing, an earthquake becomes a swing bed, a thunderstorm is likened to music, and lightning is called a lamp. These metaphors, passed down from elders to younger generations, reflect a community-wide effort to live in harmony with nature while fostering disaster awareness and preparedness.
Following the devastating 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, another tragedy was discovered in 2006. A 7.7-magnitude earthquake off the southern coast of Pangandaran, West Java, triggered a tsunami that claimed 600 lives. The event highlighted a critical lack of community awareness and the absence of an effective early warning system (EWS).
Among the Sundanese community of West Java, the term Erob (high wave) conveys the risk of a tsunami. This word was notably used during the 2009 tsunami in Cipatujah, Tasikmalaya, which resulted in only 81 fatalities—a bare contrast to earlier events.
Elders in the Sundanese community commonly use Erob as a warning, passing down this term as part of their oral tradition. Additionally, the Sundanese people rely on ancestral narratives known as Saur Sepuh, which include observations of natural signs and wisdom from past generations. These narratives have helped shape local knowledge and foster community resilience in the face of natural disasters.
In my research on local knowledge among Sundanese fishing communities, I found that fishers often referenced wisdom passed down through generations. As one fisher shared, “My grandfather always told me that…” For example, they heard about black ants from their ancestor.
They observed that when black ants emerge from the soil, it signals significant geological movement—“the stone on the highest mountain is shifting, causing the land to move.” Such movement, they believe, is an indicator of an impending earthquake, often followed by a tsunami. The fishers also learned from animal behaviors, particularly monkeys. As one explained, “When monkeys become noisy, scream incessantly, and jump to high places or safe zones, it shows their discomfort, anxiety, and chaos.”
In addition to animal behavior, they observed environmental changes, such as the sea turning orange, low tides creating vortexes near the shore, the smell of fish lingering in the air, and even distant explosive sounds from deep within the ocean. These insights, rooted in the local knowledge of fishing communities, serve as an informal early warning system, helping to minimize casualties and enhance preparedness for natural disasters.
Read the second part of the article here.
Reni Juwitasari is a Researcher at the Asian Research Center for International Development (ARCID), based at the School of Social Innovation, Mae Fah Luang University, Thailand.
Komentáře