InfoSAWIT, KAPUAS HULU – For the first time, Kapuas Hulu-based musician King of Borneo (KOB) collaborated with national rapper Tuan Tigabelas on a song titled Suar. The song debuted during the “Berdendang di Betang” music event at the Sungai Utik Longhouse on November 5, 2024, performed before the Dayak Iban Indigenous community.
This collaboration symbolizes solidarity with the Indigenous Peoples' decades-long struggle to protect their ancestral lands and preserve the environment. Upi, Tuan Tigabelas’ nickname, emphasized that the song aims to bring Indigenous issues into mainstream culture.
“Music is a powerful medium to convey messages. We want the broader public to understand the importance of passing the Indigenous Peoples Law (UU MA) and support their fight for justice,” Upi said in an official statement on Wednesday (November 27, 2024).
Raymundus Remang, Head of Sungai Utik Village, spoke during the event about the Dayak Iban Indigenous community’s philosophy. “The land is our mother, the forest is our father, and the river is our blood. This belief is the foundation of our fight to preserve nature,” he explained.
Raymundus expressed hope that more voices would support Indigenous Peoples, enabling them to reclaim sovereignty and dignity on their ancestral lands.
However, challenges persist. According to the Indigenous Peoples Alliance of the Archipelago (AMAN), 687 agrarian conflicts occurred in Indigenous territories over the past decade. In the absence of the UU MA, more than 11.7 million hectares of Indigenous lands have been taken over by various national strategic projects.
Aday, the guitarist of King of Borneo, shared that the song Suar was inspired by admiration for Indigenous Peoples. “We feel honored to perform this song directly in front of our inspiration—the Indigenous Peoples. They are the true guardians of nature, persevering despite policies that often overlook their rights,” Aday said.
The song’s creative process was supported by the Merapah Banua movement, initiated by MADANI Berkelanjutan and the Putussibau Art Community. Trias Fetra, a representative of Merapah Banua, explained that the collaboration emerged from deep discussions and a commitment to advocate for environmental justice and Indigenous rights.
“This process is not just about creating art but also a call to action, inspiring the public to care more about forest preservation and Indigenous rights,” Trias noted.
The collaboration between King of Borneo and Tuan Tigabelas represents the importance of cross-sectoral support in championing Indigenous rights. The song Suar serves not only as a musical creation but also as a declaration of solidarity, a call for change, and a dedication to preserving cultural and natural heritage.
Through art, the voices of Indigenous Peoples are now echoing further, bringing hope that their struggles will gain the recognition they deserve, including through the long-awaited enactment of the Indigenous Peoples Law. (T2)
