Tajutuna

Tajutuna is a traditional socio-ecological framework practiced by coastal communities of the Navatu Archipelago. It integrates marine resource use, land management, ritual life, and social governance to sustain livelihoods and ecological health. The system centers on seasonal cycles, customary laws, and reciprocal obligations between people and the sea, aiming to balance short-term needs with long-term resilience.

Etymology and origins are linked to the local language, with Tajutuna often interpreted as a compound meaning related to listening to the sea and following its rhythms. The practice is transmitted through generations by elders and practitioners who teach techniques, taboos, and ethical norms, and it remains deeply embedded in community identity.

Core elements include seasonal harvest calendars, protected or tabu zones where fishing is restricted, and agreed-upon quotas for different species. Traditional fishing methods—such as handlines and small nets—are favored for their selective impact, while reef and mangrove areas receive special protection to maintain breeding habitats. Knowledge of tides, weather patterns, and species life cycles is embedded in songs, stories, and apprenticeships.

Governance typically features a council of elders and a neighborhood-based assembly, sometimes with a women's council playing a key role in harvest planning and resource sharing. Enforcement relies on communal norms and social sanctions rather than external regulation.

In contemporary contexts, Tajutuna is increasingly discussed as a model of co-management and indigenous knowledge in marine conservation. It faces pressures from external fishing interests, climate change, and tourism, but continues to influence local policy and resilience strategies.