Arenga Palm Harvesting and Processing Practices by the Community of Kekait Village, West Lombok

Praktik Pemanenan dan Pengolahan Pohon Aren oleh Masyarakat Desa Kekait, Lombok Barat

Authors

Rizki Sukarman Sawaka , Adelia Zahra , Regina Natasya Putri

Published:

2025-08-31

Issue:

Vol. 1 No. 2 (2025): August 2025

Keywords:

Arenga pinnata, Etnobotani, Konservasi, Biokultural

Articles

Downloads

How to Cite

Sawaka, R. S., Zahra, A., & Putri, R. N. (2025). Arenga Palm Harvesting and Processing Practices by the Community of Kekait Village, West Lombok: Praktik Pemanenan dan Pengolahan Pohon Aren oleh Masyarakat Desa Kekait, Lombok Barat. Indonesian Journal of Tropical Biology, 1(2), 44–49. Retrieved from https://journals.widhatulfaeha.id/index.php/ijtb/article/view/35

Abstract

This study aims to describe the traditional practice of harvesting and processing palm trees (Arenga pinnata) by the people of Kekait Village, West Lombok, as well as examining the cultural values and ethnobotanical knowledge that accompany them. The research method used is qualitative with an ethnobotanical approach, through participatory observation, in-depth interviews, and field documentation. The results of the study show that palm trees are still abundant and scattered on land owned by residents and wild land. The sap tapping technique is carried out through the stages of mantokin and bêgéyong, as well as the use of traditional tools such as bamboo, belakas, and laru wood as natural bioinhibitors. The process of processing sap into ant sugar is carried out without chemicals, reflecting local wisdom in maintaining the quality and sustainability of the environment. It was also found that human behavior and emotions can affect crop yields, which suggests an ecological-spiritual relationship between humans and trees. These findings confirm the importance of preserving local knowledge as part of biocultural conservation and sustainable management of natural resources.

References

Abbott, S. J. (2021). Tree Knowing : Ethnographic Encounters , Sensuous Scholarship , Relational Ontologies , and Environmental Empathy by Sarah Jane Abbott A Dissertation by Portfolio Submitted to the College of Interdisciplinary Studies in Partial Fulfilment of the Requireme.

Adawiyah, R., Rahmani, V. M., Rindiani, D., Shahira, F., & Ardani, D. (2025). Short Communication Analysis of Palm Sugar Enterprises in Kekait Village as an Effort to Advance the Economic and Tourism Sectors Analisis Usaha Gula Aren di Desa Kekait Sebagai Upaya Memajukan Sektor Ekonomi dan Pariwisata. 1(1), 1–10.

Altieri, M. A., & Nicholls, C. I. (2017). The adaptation and mitigation potential of traditional agriculture in a changing climate. Climatic Change, 140(1), 33–45. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-013-0909-y

Blancas, J., Casas, A., Pérez-Salicrup, D., Caballero, J., & Vega, E. (2013). Ecological and socio-cultural factors influencing plant management in Náhuatl communities of the Tehuacán Valley, Mexico. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 9(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/1746-4269-9-39

Cowen, D. (1952). Flowering trees and shrubs in India,. Thacker and Co. Ltd., Bombay., 63.

Fahad, S., Chavan, S. B., Chichaghare, A. R., Uthappa, A. R., Kumar, M., Kakade, V., Pradhan, A., Jinger, D., Rawale, G., Yadav, D. K., Kumar, V., Farooq, T. H., Ali, B., Sawant, A. V., Saud, S., Chen, S., & Poczai, P. (2022). Agroforestry Systems for Soil Health Improvement and Maintenance. Sustainability (Switzerland), 14(22), 1–25. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214877

Favi, G. A., Dassou, G. H., Djidohokpin, D., Ouachinou, J. M. A. S., Kpétikou, C. G., Gbedolo, E., Anagonou, A., Hidalgo-Triana, N., & Adomou, A. C. (2022). The resource availability hypothesis (RAH) and cross-cultural patterns: which one explains West African Cochlospermum species’ uses in Benin? Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine, 18(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13002-022-00555-3

Febriyanti, N., Hikmat, A., Ervial, D., Zuhud, A. M., Departemen, M., Sumberdaya, K., Dan Ekowisata, H., Dosen, ), Konservasi, D., Hutan, S., & Ekowisata, D. (2017). Etnobotani Dan Potensi Aren (Arenga Pinnata Merr.) Pada Masyarakat Kasepuhan Pasir Eurih, Desa Sindanglaya, Kabupaten Lebak, Banten (The Ethnobotany and Potential of Sugar Palm (Arenga pinnata Merr.) on The Kasepuhan Pasir Eurih Community, Sindanglaya Vil. Agustus, 22(2), 171–180.

Gunawan, R., Ramadhan, U. G., Iskandar, J., & Partasasmita, R. (2017). Local knowledge of utilization and management of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) among Cipanggulaan People of Karyamukti, Cianjur (West Java, Indonesia). Biodiversitas, 19(1), 93–105. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d190115

Gunawan, W., Maulani, R. R., Hati, E. P., Awaliyah, F., Afif, A. H., & Albab, R. G. (2020). Evaluation of Palm Sap (Neera) Quality (Arenga pinnata Merr) in Processing of House Hold Palm Sugar (Case Study on Aren Farmers in Gunung Halu Village, Gunung Halu District, West Bandung Regency). IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 466(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/466/1/012001

Haq, H. S., & Hamdi, H. (2016). Perkawinan Adat Merariq Dan Tradisi Selabar Di Masyarakat Suku Sasak. Perspektif, 21(3), 157. DOI: https://doi.org/10.30742/perspektif.v21i3.598

Haryoso, A., Zuhud, E. A. M., Hikmat, A., Sunkar, A., & Darusman, D. (2020). Ethnobotany of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) in the sasak community, Kekait village, West Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia. Biodiversitas, 21(1),117–128. DOI:https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d210116

Husain, F., Wicaksono, H., & Saputri, N. C. (2025). Local Knowledge in the Utilization of Sugar Palm Trees by the Community at the Slopes of Mount Ungaran. 24–32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/kss.v10i10.18647

Imraan, M., Ilyas, R. A., Norfarhana, A. S., Bangar, S. P., Knight, V. F., & Norrrahim, M. N. F. (2023). Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata) fibers: new emerging natural fibre and its relevant properties, treatments and potential applications. Journal of Materials Research and Technology, 24, 4551–4572. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmrt.2023.04.056

Iskandar, B. S., & Iskandar, J. (2021). Kawung: Landraces, management, uses, and conservation based on moral versus economic interest among outer baduy community, South Banten, Indonesia. Biodiversitas, 22(12), 5572–5584. DOI: https://doi.org/10.13057/biodiv/d221242

Kurniawan, T., Jayanudin, J., Kustiningsih, I., & Adha Firdaus, M. (2018). Palm Sap Sources, Characteristics, and Utilization in Indonesia. Journal of Food and Nutrition Research, 6(9), 590–596. DOI: https://doi.org/10.12691/jfnr-6-9-8

Lagacé, L., Camara, M., Martin, N., Ali, F., Houde, J., Corriveau, S., & Sadiki, M. (2019). Effect of the new high vacuum technology on the chemical composition of maple sap and syrup. Heliyon, 5(6), 0–5. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2019.e01786

Luft, J. A., Jeong, S., Idsardi, R., & Gardner, G. (2022). Literature Reviews, Theoretical Frameworks, and Conceptual Frameworks: An Introduction for New Biology Education Researchers. CBE Life Sciences Education, 21(3), rm33. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1187/cbe.21-05-0134

Martini, E., Roshetko, J. M., van Noordwijk, M., Rahmanulloh, A., Mulyoutami, E., Joshi, L., & Budidarsono, S. (2012). Sugar palm (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb) Merr.) for livelihoods and biodiversity conservation in the orangutan habitat of Batang Toru, North Sumatra, Indonesia: Mixed prospects for domestication. Agroforestry Systems, 86(3), 401–417. DOI:https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-011-9441-0

Mpanda, M., Munjuga, M., Reyes, T., Said, A., Rutatina, F., Kimaro, A., & Van Noordwijk, M. (2014). Allanblackia, butterflies and cardamom: Sustaining livelihoods alongside biodiversity conservation on the forest-agroforestry interface in the East Usambara Mountains, Tanzania. Forests Trees and Livelihoods, 23(1–2), 127–142.DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/14728028.2014.895215

Noy, C. (2008). Sampling knowledge: The hermeneutics of snowball sampling in qualitative research. International Journal of Social Research Methodology, 11(4), 327–344. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/13645570701401305

Permata, W., Rayis, A., Prayogi, S., Herayanti, L., & Kurnia, N. (2024). Integration of Ethnoscience in Science Learning : An Ethnoscience Study on the Palm Sugar Production Process. 11(2), 97–115.

Rahman, M. H., & Alam, K. (2016). Forest dependent indigenous communities’ perception and adaptation to climate change through local knowledge in the protected area-A Bangladesh Case Study. Climate, 4(1), 1–25.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cli4010012

Rist, S., & Dahdouh-Guebas, F. (2006). Ethnosciences - A step towards the integration of scientific and indigenous forms of knowledge in the management of natural resources for the future. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 8(4), 467–493.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-006-9050-7

Roht-Arriaza, N., & Roht, N. (1996). 1996-Arriaza, Of Seeds and Shamans: The Appropriation of the Scientific and Technical Knowledge of Indigenous and Local Communities, 17 MICH. Michigan Journal of International Law, 17(4).

Royyani, M. F., Setiarto, R. H. B., Herlina, V. T., Ana, R. R., Hidayat, A., Ngongo, Y., Sundari, S., Oryzanti, P., Wahyuni, R., Yusnikumah, T. R., & Hakam, S. (2025). Exploring sociocultural and science aspect of Manggulu: a traditional food from Sumba Island, Indonesia. Journal of Ethnic Foods, 12(1). DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s42779-025-00280-8

Rutakumwa, R., Mugisha, J. O., Bernays, S., Kabunga, E., Tumwekwase, G., Mbonye, M., & Seeley, J. (2020). Conducting in-depth interviews with and without voice recorders: a comparative analysis. Qualitative Research, 20(5), 565–581. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794119884806

Sains, F., Teknologi, D. A. N., & Ar-raniry, U. I. N. (2024). KEANEKARAGAMAN VEGETASI POHON DI HUTAN KONSERVASI TAMAN WISATA ALAM ( TWA ) IBOIH- SABANG.

Santos, K. da S., Ribeiro, M. C., de Queiroga, D. E. U., da Silva, I. A. P., & Ferreira, S. M. S. (2020). The use of multiple triangulations as a validation strategy in a qualitative study. Ciencia e Saude Coletiva, 25(2), 655–664.DOI:https://doi.org/10.1590/141381232020252.12302018

Sarkar, T., Mukherjee, M., Roy, S., & Chakraborty, R. (2023). Palm sap sugar an unconventional source of sugar exploration for bioactive compounds and its role on functional food development. Heliyon, 9(4), e14788. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14788

Singhal, R. S., Kennedy, J. F., Gopalakrishnan, S. M., Kaczmarek, A., Knill, C. J., & Akmar, P. F. (2008). Industrial production, processing, and utilization of sago palm-derived products. Carbohydrate Polymers, 72(1), 1–20DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carbpol.2007.07.043

Wahyudiati, D., & Fitriani, F. (2021). Etnokimia: Eksplorasi Potensi Kearifan Lokal Sasak Sebagai Sumber Belajar Kimia. Jurnal Pendidikan Kimia Indonesia, 5(2), 102. DOI: https://doi.org/10.23887/jpk.v5i2.38537

Author Biographies

Rizki Sukarman Sawaka, University of Mataram

Adelia Zahra, Universitas of Mataram

Regina Natasya Putri, Universitas of Mataram

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Rizki Sukarman S, Zahra Adelia, Putri Regina Natasya

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.