This is a story about a jenton (guy), Tarib and a betina (woman), Hatijah Senggul, a couple idolized by Orang Rimba. Their romance is truly sweet.
In the late 80s, Tarib had a huge crush on Hatijah, flower of the jungle. According to the custom of Orang Rimba, the guy must carry out semando (become apprentice) to the parents of the girl. For two years Tarib did all assignments Hatijah’s father gave him: hunting, farming, building bed, anything. Once the father was satisfied, then Tarib could marry Hatijah.
“I had six other jenton as my competitors. We all did semando in sudung (the tent) where Hatijah’s parents lived,” Tarib said. Six jenton were competing to be the most diligent and skillful in hunting. “I ate only a little, so they would not see me as voracious. If I was still hungry, I would run to my mother’s sudung and ask for food there. Haha.”
Hatijah’s parents eventually chose Tarib, “I was thrilled, as if I won a mountain of gold!”
The wedding day was set. The future parent in-laws assigned the jenton to build a bale (wooden wedding bench). The bale must be done in one day, “When the sun risen, at 10 AM the next day it had to be ready.” Tarib worked real hard all night long. The bale must be flawless.
There was another thing: Tarib had to collect 80 kinds of flower. “Piado bungo, piado dewo” – no flowers, no God. So, he collected thatch flower, antui, ibul, kuning, any kinds of flower he could find in the jungle, he collected them.
Tarib and Hatijah had 11 kids. Together, they protect Pakuaji Forest. Tens of hectares of land are planted with various kind of trees and medicinal plants to prevent the expansion of plantations. In 2002, Tumenggung Tarib received Kehati Award.
In 2003, “My wife got a stomach cancer,” Tarib was very upset. The custom in Orang Rimba did not allow women to be taken to the hospital. The children also did not approve. ⠀
“Akhe (I) did not care. Let them say akhe (I) violated the tradition, but saving my wife’s life was important.”⠀
Facilitated by KKI Warsi, Hatijah was rushed to the hospital and had a surgery. “If we were late for a minute, she would have died.”
Tarib and Hatijah grow old together. They do not live in the jungle anymore. A big house in Air Panas village was built from their farming income.
“My wife is ill. She started to forget things. Akhe (I) take care of her, just like she took care of me.”
#PuanIndonesia⠀
#WomenStory #Jambi #CeritaPerempuan
