Cultural imperatives and environmental challenges: burial practices in flood-prone area of Mahakam Cascade Lake community to improve cultural resilience and sustainability

Abstract

Floods are destructive disasters that significantly impact life, including disruptions in community cultural practices. One aspect of culture affected by floods is funeral procession, especially in the burial of the deceased, which has spiritual and social values in the community. This study aimed to explore the practice of managing funerals, especially in burials in flood-prone areas in Mahakam Cascade Lake (MCL), to understand the culture of sustainable community resilience. Data collection in this study involved in-depth interviews with village government officials and death association members to explore the potential for sustainable community resilience. The data analysis used a thematic approach to explore the development of burial culture during floods and the reasons for using various adaptation strategies based on changes in water levels. The study identified three main strategies implemented by the community: 1) constructing embankments for burials during low floods, 2) elevating cemetery grounds, and 3) relocating burials to neighbouring villages. These strategies demonstrate the community's ability to use local knowledge, social networks, and village collaborations to maintain cultural burial practices during floods. Comprehensive planning and support from local governments are required to support the long-term sustainability of cultural burial practices in flood-prone areas. The innovative adaptation strategies of the MCL community in maintaining cultural burial practices amidst the challenges of flood disasters provide important lessons for building sustainable cultural resilience in the face of climate change.