Pemburu

Pemburu is an Indonesian noun meaning hunter. It is formed from the root buru (to hunt) with the agentive prefix pem-, which denotes someone who performs the action. The term generally refers to a person who hunts wild animals, birds, or other game, and can describe practitioners in historical, rural, or urban contexts. In everyday speech, pemburu often appears in discussions of subsistence hunting, sport hunting, or traditional practices, and may be used descriptively for characters in stories or media.

Hunting has played various roles in Indonesia’s diverse regions. Traditionally, it has supported subsistence for rural communities and shaped interactions with local ecosystems. In contemporary settings, hunting is frequently subject to wildlife protection laws and conservation policies. Many species are protected, and permits, quotas, or seasonal restrictions govern authorized hunting, aiming to balance human needs with biodiversity preservation.

In literature, film, and folklore, pemburu appears as a recognizable archetype—the observer and pursuer who traverses forests, fields, and villages. The word also serves as a linguistic example of Indonesian agent-formation, illustrating how prefix pem- attaches to roots to denote an actor. The broader concept of pemburu is linked to related terms such as buru (to hunt) and buruan (prey).