Jurnal Geografi
Vol. 18 No. 1 (2026): JURNAL GEOGRAFI

Cultural Geography Perspectives on the Dayak Hampang Uplands-Meratus Mountains, Indonesia

Nasruddin Nasruddin (Department of Geography, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Indonesia)
Mohd Hairy Ibrahim (Department of Geography and Environment, Faculty of Human Sciences, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris, Malaysia)
Muhamad Rusmin Nuryadin (Department of Economics and Development Studies, Faculty of Economics and Business, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Indonesia)
Selamat Riadi (Department of Geography, Faculty of Social and Political Science, Universitas Lambung Mangkurat, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
08 Apr 2026

Abstract

This study examines the cultural geography of the Dayak Hampang community in the Meratus Mountains by integrating spatial, environmental, and political-economic perspectives. It employs a quasi-qualitative approach supported by survey methods and descriptive analysis to operationalize a cultural geography framework. Qualitative data on cultural values, indigenous knowledge, and settlement toponymy were collected through in-depth interviews. Settlement patterns were analyzed using Nearest Neighbour Analysis, GIS, field surveys, and documentation. The findings reveal that clustered toponymy and settlement patterns reflect a strong socio-spatial attachment to rivers, forests, and cultivated land, forming an integrated cultural landscape rooted in customary institutions. Shifting cultivation and ritual practices function as adaptive socio-ecological strategies that sustain livelihoods and conserve the mountainous environment despite pressures associated with protected forest designation. The study demonstrates that socio-ecological resilience increases when customary governance is formally recognized by reclassifying protected forests as customary forests (hutan adat). Conversely, restrictive state forest regimes that limit community Access, Assets, and Activities (3A) weaken adaptive capacity and heighten ecological vulnerability. Accordingly, the Sustainable Cultural Geography (SCG) model is expressed as: SCG = f (Ecological Resilience, Customary Forest Tenure, 3A Capacity), positioning cultural landscape sustainability as a function of these interrelated components.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

geo

Publisher

Subject

Earth & Planetary Sciences Education Environmental Science Social Sciences Other

Description

Jurnal Geografi is published as a scientific communication media in the field of Geography Education in particular and Geography in general, as well as other related fields, for faculty members, alumni of Geography Education both from the Faculty of Social Sciences of State University of Medan and ...