Abstract:
The existence of a unique concept of a river has significantly shaped the
Banjarese community's relationship with it. This unique perspective, known as "Batang
Banyu," portrays the river as a revered and integral aspect of their existence. The core
objective of this research lies in comprehending the embodiment of the Batang Banyu
concept within the regions of Martapura, Nagara, and Panggang in South Kalimantan.
The research adopts a phenomenological approach, utilising an interpretive qualitative
method to achieve this. The primary data is gathered through rigorous field
observations and in-depth interviews with local inhabitants. The study's outcomes
unveil that the Batang Banyu concept has evolved into a communicative experience,
endowing the community with profound significance for the river. This significance
finds manifestation in four fundamental aspects: first and foremost, the river serves
as a livelihood for fishermen; secondly, it supports various livelihood-related
endeavours; thirdly, it plays a crucial role in constructing homes; and lastly, it serves
as a means of transportation. Remarkably, among the communities residing along the
banks of the Nagara River and Panggang Lake, the Batang Banyu concept remains
firmly entrenched. Conversely, for the people residing along the Martapura River, the
Batang Banyu concept has been discarded, resulting in the unfortunate neglect and
pollution of the Martapura River due to the accumulation of vast amounts of garbage.
