Country

Indonesia

tia.roberts

Tue, 02/25/2025 – 13:00

Issues

Lands, Resources, and Environments

Program

5

Main Image

By Rama Wajiya, staff reporter, ORARI Mamasa, a community radio station

In the remote, mountainous region of Mamasa Regency, West Sulawesi, Indonesia, where internet access is limited and cell service is unreliable, a group of Indigenous youth has turned to a traditional medium to address modern challenges: radio. ORARI Mamasa, a community radio station, has become a powerful platform for the Mamasa people to connect, share stories, and fight for their rights in the face of environmental threats and socio-cultural shifts brought on by mining corporations.

For generations, the isolated villages of Mamasa, separated by dense forests and steep terrain, relied on word of mouth and arduous journeys to share news and maintain connections. Recognizing the need to bridge these distances and strengthen community ties, a group of young Mamasa people established ORARI Mamasa. Their vision was simple: to create a radio station by the community, for the community, amplifying the voices often overlooked in this remote corner of Indonesia. We wanted to weave a fabric of connection frayed by distance and isolation. Radio waves allowed us to reach every corner of the regency, from the smallest village to the most remote outpost, sharing news, stories, and vital information.

But ORARI Mamasa soon became more than just a source of local news and entertainment. The discovery of rare earth metals in the region attracted the attention of mining companies, including PT Mozanite San, whose operations now span over 9,390.8 hectares. The impact on the environment and the Mamasa way of life has been significant. Farmlands have been destroyed, rivers polluted, and the health and livelihoods of the Indigenous People threatened.

Witnessing the detrimental effects of mining firsthand, the youth of ORARI Mamasa recognized the urgent need to act. They transformed their radio station into an advocacy tool, launching the “Mamasa Bersuara!” (Mamasa Voicing!) project. With support from Cultural Survival, an international NGO that advocates for Indigenous Peoples’ rights, they began producing programs that shed light on the realities of mining in Mamasa.

Photo by Rama Wajiya

Mamasa Bersuara! is about giving our people a more substantial voice in the conversation about mining activities affecting our land. We invite local farmers, elders, community leaders, and even government officials to speak on our programs, creating an open dialogue about mining’s impact on our community.

Through interviews, discussions, and on-the-ground reports, ORARI Mamasa exposed the environmental damage, community displacement, and health risks associated with mining operations. They gave voice to those directly affected by the mining boom, amplifying previously ignored or suppressed concerns.

For the youth leading this initiative, Mamasa Bersuara! is more than just a fight against corporate interests; it’s a fight for their future and preserving their cultural heritage. They envision a Mamasa where the Indigenous people have a say in what happens to their ancestral land, where mining practices are responsible and sustainable, and where their voices are heard and respected.

We dream of a day when the Mamasan people’s voices will no longer be silenced. We want to have a say in what happens to our land, our resources, and our future. The impact of ORARI Mamasa and the Mamasa Bersuara! The project has been profound. The radio station has become a unifying force in the region, bringing together diverse communities and empowering them to speak out against injustice. Its reach extends beyond the borders of Mamasa into neighboring regions, carrying the message of resistance and resilience. ORARI Mamasa has become a beacon of hope for our people. It has given us a platform to share our stories, connect, and stand up for our rights.

The challenges facing the Mamasa people are significant, but the youth of ORARI Mamasa still need to be fulfilled. With each broadcast, they are reclaiming their narrative, strengthening their community, and inspiring hope for a future where their voices will shape the destiny of their land. The hills of Mamasa now echo with the sounds of resistance, carried on the airwaves, declaring to the world: Mamasa is speaking, and the world must listen.

Photos by Rama Wajiya

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