KnE Social Sciences

Published date: Dec 03 2025

Journal Title: KnE Social Sciences

Issue title: The 5th International Conference on Tourism, Gastronomy, and Tourist Destination (TGDIC 2025)

Pages: 180 - 192

DOI: 10.18502/kss.v10i29.20263

Myrza Rahmanitamyrzarahmanita@iptrisakti.ac.idTrisakti Institute of Tourism, Jakarta

Rina SuprinaTrisakti Institute of Tourism, Jakarta

Rahmat IngkadijayaTrisakti Institute of Tourism, Jakarta

I Gusti Ayu Dewi HendriyaniManagement Strategic, Ministry of Tourism

Saptarining WulanTrisakti Institute of Tourism, Jakarta

The Mentawai Archipelago in Indonesia is renowned for indigenous healing traditions led by the Sikerei, spiritual healers embodying ancestral knowledge, ecological stewardship, and community well-being. These intangible cultural heritage practices face increasing threats from modernization, formal medical services, and waning interest among younger generations. This study aims to develop a strategic framework that safeguards Mentawai healing through indigenous tourism by positioning the Sikerei as cultural leaders to promote both preservation and sustainable development. Using an exploratory-descriptive qualitative method, primary data were collected through in-depth interviews and participant observation involving 12 active Sikerei, supplemented by secondary sources. Triangulation was applied to cross-verify data, enhancing validity and providing a comprehensive understanding of the healing system’s spiritual, ritual, social, and ecological dimensions. Findings reveal the holistic interconnectedness of Mentawai healing, emphasizing community leadership, cultural authenticity, youth engagement, and economic sustainability, while preventing commodification of sacred practices. Drawing on successful global indigenous tourism models, the proposed framework fosters cultural continuity, community empowerment, and inclusive economic benefits. Policy recommendations include formal recognition of Sikerei, protection of sacred spaces, educational programs for knowledge transmission, and long-term monitoring mechanisms. This study contributes to understanding how indigenous tourism can effectively preserve intangible cultural heritage while supporting socioeconomic development, offering a replicable model for indigenous communities balancing cultural integrity and economic opportunity amid modernization.

Keywords: indigenous healing, indigenous tourism, cultural preservation, sustainable development, Mentawai

[1] Reddy K, Sailesh B. Cultural guardianship in tourism: Indigenous communities’ quest for economic stability and identity preservation. Journal of Tourism Sustainability [Internet]. 2024;4(1):17-25. Available from: doi: https://doi.org/10.14505/jemt.v15.2(74).08.

[2] Nguyen TST, Phan DHT, Doan DHL, Chau MNT, Doan TTTJ. Cultural revitalization for tourism development from an Indigenous perspective: The case of Ta Oi people, A Luoi District, Thua Thien Hue province, Vietnam. Frontiers in Sustainable Tourism [Internet]. 2025;4:1510934. Available from:doi:10.3389/frsut.2025.1510934

[3] Shrestha RK, L’Espoir Decosta JNP, Whitford M. Creating authentic indigenous tourism experiences. Annals of Tourism Research [Internet]. 2025 Jan;110:103882. Available from: doi:10.1016/j.annals.2024.103882

[4] Osman IE, Rahmanita M, Brahmantyo H, Wibowo D, Sulistiy TD. Sikerei lifestyle in cultural preservation for sustainable tourism in Mentawai Island, Indonesia. Journal of Hunan University Natural Sciences [Internet]. 2021;48(5).

[5] Zamzam L. Sekerei Mentawai: Keseharian dan tradisi pengetahuan lokal yang digerus oleh zaman. Antropologi Indonesia [Internet]. 2013;34(1):3. Available from: doi:10.7454/ai.v34i1.3195.

[6] Munandar R, Satria D, Yulian I. Traditional medicine as Mentawai local wisdom [Internet]. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/ 387370543_Traditional_ Medicine_as_Mentawai_Local_Wisdom. Accessed 2025 Jun 30.

[7] Deswika M, Arief R, Yuliati L. A gender analysis of perceptions of traditional medicines by Sikerei. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Gender and Cultural Studies (ICGCS). KnE Social Sciences [Internet]. 2024. p. 132-44. Available from: DOI: 10.18502/kss.v9i23.16720

[8] Irwandi A, Taufik R. Cultural identity in the shackles of modernization: The case of Mentawai indigenous peoples. Jurnal Sosiologi Andalas [Internet]. 2023;9:211-28. Available from: doi:10.25077/jsa.9.2.212-229.2023

[9] Che Lah S, Esa N, Rajamani L, Mohamed B, Bidin MO, Osman O, et al. Conserving local knowledge in traditional healing through knowledge transfer. SHS Web of Conferences [Internet]. 2015;40:300. Available from: Doi:https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20151804003

[10] Panging M, Sharma S. Studies on ethno medicinal and traditional healing practices among Mising community of Desangmukh Gaon Panchayat, Sivasagar District of Assam, India. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies [Internet] . 2017;5(4):193-6.

[11] Aban R. Pergeseran zaman mengancam eksistensi Sikerei dan budaya Mentawai. Bagaimana nasib mereka? Suara.com [Internet]. Nov 10, 2024. Available from: https://www.suara.com/video/2024/11/10/130500/pergeseran-zaman-mengancameksistensi- sikerei-dan-budaya-mentawai-bagaimana-nasib-mereka

[12] Sababalat DM. Tato dan Sikerei Mentawai dapat pengakuan nasional. Mentawaikab.go.id [Internet]. 2020. Available from: http://www.mentawaikab.go.id/berita/detail/tato-dan-sikerei-mentawai-dapatpengakuan- nasional

[13] Markolinda Y, Sawirman S, Ramadani M, Yusya F, Husna N, Azmi F, et al. Indigenous knowledge for disaster mitigation and climate threats in Mentawai, Indonesia. Jàmbá J Disaster Risk Stud [Internet]. 2025;17(1):a1877. Available from: https://doi.org/10.4102/jamba.v17i1.1877

[14] Lee S, Nichols JD, Lloyd D, Sagari S, Sagulu F, Siregar IZ, et al. The indigenous uses of plants from Siberut, Mentawai, Indonesia. Ethnobot Res Appl [Internet]. 2021;22:1- 33. Available from: https://ethnobotanyjournal.org/index.php/era/article/view/2559

[15] Suharmiati, Agustina ZA, Effendi D. Medicinal plants knowledge and traditional healing practices of Mentawai indigenous people in Indonesia: An ethnomedicine approach. Indian J Forensic Med Toxicol [Internet]. 2021;15(3):4191-9. Available from: doi:10.37506/ijfmt.v15i3.15951

[16] Ramadhan SF, Metusala D, Sinaga MO. Potensi pengembangan tradisi etnobotani sebagai ekowisata berkelanjutan: Studi kasus suku Mentawai di Pulau Siberut, Kepulauan Mentawai. J Pro-Life [Internet] . 2017;4(2):364-74.

[17] Munandar A, Noer M, Erwin, Syahni R. Local genius-based marine tourism development pattern in Mentawai Islands Regency. Hong Kong J Soc Sci [Internet]. 2024;64:45-53. Available from: doi:10.55463/hkjss.issn.1021-3619.64.5

[18] Permana DY, Imamulhadi, Idris, Mariana M. Integrating indigenous wisdom and village authority in environmental protection: A case study of Indonesia. Jambura Law Rev [Internet]. 2023;5(2):359-89. Available from: DOI:10.33756/jlr.v7i2.29582

[19] Shrestha RK, L’Espoir Decosta JNP, Whitford M. Creating authentic indigenous tourism experiences. Ann Tour Res [Internet]. 2025;110:103882. Available from: doi:10.1016/j.annals.2024.103882

[20] Nur M. Sikerei dalam cerita: Penelusuran identitas budaya Mentawai. J Masyarakat Budaya [Internet]. 2019;21(1):89-102.

[21] Sari AP, Efi A. Traditional medicine as Mentawai local wisdom. J Penelit Pendidik IPA [Internet] . 2024;10(12):10376-85. Available from: doi:10.29303/jppipa.v10i12.7445

[22] Rahmanita M, Asmaniati F, Nurabeti, Dewi TR. Forest conservative lifestyle of Mentawai shaman (Sikerei): An indigenous enrichment to the education value of ecotourism in South Siberut, Mentawai, West Sumatra, Indonesia. Singap Manag Rev[Internet] . 2021;9(1):75-88.

[23] Sitanggang AR. Siagai Laggek: Pengetahuan tumbuhan obat oleh penyembuh sebagai obat tradisional di Kepulauan Mentawai. Balale’ J Antropol [Internet]. 2023;4(1):55-68.

[24] Ardhanari M, Nugrohadi G, Viphindrartin S. Phenomenology study of the socioeconomic strengthening of the Mentawai indigenous peoples. Media Trend[Internet]. 2021;16(1):129-41. Available from: doi:10.21107/mediatrend.v16i1.9820

[25] Setiawati S, Febriamansyah R, Reflinaldon R, Rusfidra R, Lucida H, Mutiara V, et al. Analisa pengembangan wisata alam dan budaya lokal: Studi kasus di Kecamatan Siberut Selatan, Kepulauan Mentawai. J Indones Tour Hosp Recreat [Internet]. 2025;8:43-56. Available from: doi:10.17509/jithor.v8i1.76947

[26] Charles J, O’Brien L. The survival of Aboriginal Australians through the harshest time in human history: Community-strength. Int J Indigenous Health [Internet]. 2020;15(1):14. Available from: doi:10.32799/ijih.v15i1.33925

[27] Lucana S, Elfers J. Sacred medicine: Indigenous healing and mental health. Qual Rep [Internet]. 2020;25(12):4482-95. Available from: doi:10.46743/2160-3715/2020.4626

[28] Islami MZ, Nisa AK, Fitri NA, Wajdi MF, Situmorang K, Sartini S, et al. Arat Sabulungan as a sacred ecology: Sustainable consumption and climate change adaptation among the Mentawai tribe. Sosial Budaya [Internet]. 2023;20(1):24.

[29] Desriyeni, Primadesi Y. Transformation of culture: Modernization and the existence of Sikerei in Mentawai West Sumatera Indonesia. In: Proc 4th Int Conf Language, Literature, and Education (ICLLE-4 2021). Adv Soc Sci Educ Hum Res [Internet]. 2021;51-5. Available from: doi:10.2991/assehr.k.211201.009

[30] Torres-Toukoumidis A, Marín-Gutiérrez I, Hinojosa-Becerra M. Ancestral rituals heritage as community-based tourism—Case of the Ecuadorian Andes. Sustainability [Internet]. 2022;14(19):12679. Available from: doi:10.3390/su141912679

[31] Luitel NP, Lamichhane B, Koirala P, Sainju P, Ghimire A, Gautam K, Jordans MJD, Kohrt BA, et al. Treatment of depression by traditional faith healers in Nepal: A qualitative study. SSM - Mental Health [Internet]. 2025;7:100425. Available from: doi:10.1016/j.ssmmh.2025.100425

[32] Salman A, Jaafar M, Mohamad D, Ebekozien A, Rasul T. The multistakeholder role in Asian sustainable ecotourism: A systematic review. PSU Res Rev [Internet]. 2024;8(3):940-58. Available from: DOI: 10.1108/PRR-05-2022-0048

[33] Xu E, Liu B, Bai M, Liu Y, Li Y, Wang B, Chen Y, Xie M, Dong Y. Zhang Zhongjing cultural brand construction from the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine culture and wellness tourism. Chinese Med Nat Prod [Internet]. 2023;3(2):e51–e55. Available from: doi:10.1055/s-0043-1770073.

[34] Ralte RL, Sailo H, Singh T. Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants used by the indigenous community of the western region of Mizoram, India. J Ethnobiol Ethnomed [Internet]. 2023. Available from: DOI: 10.1186/s13002-023-00642-z

[35] Julakarn, Nachaisin D, Julakarn P. Folkloric perspectives of spiritual essence (k̄hwạỵ) in Northeastern Thailand. Discov Glob Soc [Internet]. 2025;3:31. Available from: doi:10.1007/s44282-025-00172-x

[36] Keevers L, et al. Supporting recovery, healing and wellbeing with Aboriginal communities of the southeast coast of Australia: A practice-based study. BMC Health Serv Res [Internet]. 2024;24(1):1068. Available from: doi:10.1186/s12913-024-11546-3

[37] Tulius J, Burman Hall L. Primates and birds of ‘Sabulungan’: Roles of animals in sculptures, shamanic songs and dances, and the belief system of traditional Mentawaians. Wacana [Internet]. 2022;23(2):451-90. Available from: DOI: 10.17510/wacana.v23i2.1090

[38] Sinclaire M, Allen LP, Hatala AR. Promoting health and wellness through Indigenous sacred sites, ceremony grounds, and land-based learning: A scoping review. AlterNative [Internet]. 2024;20(3). Available from: doi:10.1177/11771801241251411

[39] Spriggs M. Small gods, rituals, and cooperation: The Mentawai water spirit Sikameinan. J Ritual Stud [Internet]. 2019;33(2):1-23. Available from: DOI:10.31235/osf.io/npkdy

[40] Raflis R, Salabi JG. The Sikerei clothing ornaments’ meanings in Mentawai Island: A semiotic analysis. J Ilm Pendidik Scholastic [Internet]. 2024;8(3). Available from: DOI:10.36057/jips.v8i3.709

[41] Nurainas, Sulekha R, Syam Z, Lee S, Syamsuardi S. Ethnomedicinal study of the use of Zingiberaceae by the Mentawai people in Siberut, West Sumatra, Indonesia. J Biol Univ Andalas [Internet]. 2021;9(1):25-9. Available from: doi:10.25077/jbioua.9.1.25- 29.2021

[42] Tatay, J., & Merino, A. (2023). What is sacred in sacred natural sites? A literature review from a conservation lens. Ecology and Society [Internet], 28(1), 12. Available from: https://doi.org/10.5751/ES-13823-280112

[43] Charles J, O’Brien L. The survival of Aboriginal Australians through the harshest time in human history: Community-strength. Int J Indigenous Health [Internet]. 2020;15(1):14. Available from: doi:10.32799/ijih.v15i1.33925.

[44] Mitra A, Paul S. Empowering indigenous communities through regenerative tourism: Cultural preservation and socio-economic resilience in Northeast India. In: Regenerative tourism: Cultural preservation and socio-economic resilience in Northeast India. IGI Global [Internet]; 2025. p. 283–302.Available from: DOI:10.4018/979-8-3373-0235-5.ch012

[45] Crooks CV, Burleigh D, Sisco A. Promoting First Nations, Métis, and Inuit youth wellbeing through culturally-relevant programming: The role of cultural connectedness and identity. Int J Child Adolesc Resil [Internet]. 2015;3(2):102-18.