Ajakohase

Ajakohase is a term originating from the Austronesian language family, primarily used in the coastal communities of the Indonesian province of West Nusa Tenggara. In contemporary usage the word denotes a protective spirit associated with marine ecosystems, particularly those surrounding coral reefs and mangrove swamps. The concept of ajakohase functions as a symbolic guardian that is invoked in rituals aimed at safeguarding fisheries and preventing ecological degradation.

The word is believed to be a composite of the Old Javanese root aja, meaning “to guard or protect,” the suffix ko used to indicate a person, and the suffix hase, associated with waters or the sea. Early inscriptions from the 14th century mention a “Sengaja” deity that later evolved into the present form of ajakohase in local folklore.

Cultural practices involving ajakohase include ceremonial offerings of fish, rice cakes, and incense to appease the spirit before major fishing expeditions. In the late 20th century, community leaders in Lombok adopted the term in environmental education programs to promote sustainable harvesting practices among young fishermen. The concept has since also appeared in anthropological studies of Southeast Asian maritime belief systems and in discussions on community-based natural resource management.