Word: Ayu Arman
Kebar is a valley spanning 2,703 square kilometers, surrounded by mountains, dense forests with thick trees, and lush grasslands or natural alang-alang (Cylindrica) that serve as the vast home for deer species.
One of the vast stretches of savanna is found in Sontiri Hill, a ridge of hills that stretches widely like a green carpet, serving as a habitat for Timor deer (Cervus timorensis) and spiders. Every morning, the hill is adorned with thousands of spider webs, creating a beautiful white glow over the grass.
This hill directly faces the Tambrauw Mountains, which are often shrouded in mist every morning, offering an exotic view of the sunrise and sunset.
On Sontiri Hill, I experienced fresh air and was mesmerized by the orchestra of bird sounds that seemed to play endlessly. As far as the eye could see, a green carpet stretched out under a clear sky, with clouds gently drifting in silence.
Around this hill, I could also see the alocarya trees planted by the Kebar community since 1960, towering up to 50 meters. Additionally, there is the Kebar arboretum forest, the damar kebar trees, and the banondit kebar grass (Biophytum petersianum), which is a herbal remedy for female fertility.
Beyond the stunning natural views, Kebar also serves as the food basket of the Tambrauw people. Various crops like vegetables, bananas, sweet potatoes, sago, and fruits thrive here. Durian, lansap, sugarcane, mangoes, jambu, rambutan, and the red fruit used for cancer treatment are abundant, as well as the kebar grass for reproductive health, a variety of tubers, beans, vegetables, and a stunning array of colorful flowers grow everywhere.