(Tomistoma schgelii), sun bears (Helarctos malayanus) and various species
of birds.
Mangrove wood also provide a source of income, where we will sell
mangrove resources such as landing-landing (Scyphiphora hydrophyllacea),
tegar and santing to be used as building materials. Mangrove tree barks are
also sold to be made into paint, cloth dyes and belts.
ii) Traditional Practices
For us, the mangroves are not only a source of livelihood and income, but
also a symbol of our identity as Tombonuo in Sungai Eloi because our
history and cultural heritage is very closely related to the mangroves. There
are various traditional oractices that we still practise in this area.
The mangrove forests serve as a guide or calendar to us in carrying out our
daily life such as in agricultural and fishing activities. We refer to the
changes in the mangrove forest. For example, if the mangrove trees bear
lots of fruit, there will also be a lot of agricultural produce; if the santing trees
bear flowers, that signals the season when crabs lay eggs; if it's the season
when the high tide at night ends quickly, it signals a short rainy season and
vice versa.
a. Resource Collection
For the Tombonuo, every resource that we want to take has their specific
time. For example, house building materials cannot be taken when the
moon is at gogoropuod, giuk, kotang, or morosakit because it can cause
sickness or death to the house residents. Fishing activities are also guided
by the moon, fishing from ingopat-gopat to pongogom is the most suitable
time as the high tide is slow and there's more time to find pum-pun (bait).
We also believe that between the months of March to April are the season
for koritan (shark) and Pongoluon. This time is the season for harvesting
paddy.
b. Sacred Sites
Knowledge of sites believed to be sacred has been passed down from
generation to generation. We believe that these sites have to maintained
11 | S u n g a i E l o i T o m b o n u o C o m m u n i t y P r o t o c o l