Malteng Regency Strengthens Local Food through Kora Inasua Tradition

The Central Maluku Regency (Malteng) is strengthening local food culture based on tradition through the organisation of the Kora Inasua Festival in Teon Nila Serua (TNS) sub-district as an effort to maintain cultural sustainability as well as marine resources. Central Maluku Regent Zulkarnain Awat Amir in Central Maluku on Tuesday stated that strengthening local food culture such as inasua must go hand in hand with the preservation of natural resources, particularly the marine ecosystem. “As a traditional food, inasua is part of the identity of coastal communities in Maluku, especially TNS. In this regard, protecting the sea directly correlates the preservation of the environment with the sustainability of community culture and economy,” he said. This festival, he added, serves as a space for cultural expression, conservation education, and strengthening the coastal community’s economy through the development of the traditional food inasua. This product is produced through a fish preservation method using salt, which developed as a solution for food fulfilment during the windy season. In addition to reflecting local wisdom in managing marine produce, inasua also underscores the importance of maintaining the health of the marine ecosystem as a source of raw materials, including deep-sea fish like gindara (Ruvettus pretiosus). According to him, strengthening community capacity, especially women’s groups, is the main focus through various training programmes. Furthermore, the younger generation is involved through environmental education, social media content competitions, and conservation-based games to foster awareness of protecting the sea from an early age. Teon Nila Serua Sub-district Head Ronald Wonmaly assessed that this festival is a strategic momentum for building collective awareness among the community in maintaining wise practices in utilising marine resources. “We encourage the community to continue upholding local practices that are wise in utilising marine produce. This festival becomes a shared learning space about the importance of a healthy sea for daily life,” he said. YKAN Marine Programme Director Muhammad Ilman stated that traditional practices like inasua reflect values of efficiency and sustainability that align with conservation efforts. “Strengthening local customs and culture is an important foundation in promoting sustainable fishing practices. When communities preserve their traditions, at the same time they are also preserving the marine ecosystem,” he said. He added that a culture-based approach is considered effective in supporting the design of marine conservation areas in the TNS region carried out by the government with YKAN support. The Kora Inasua Festival is expected to strengthen synergy between the local government, indigenous communities, and development partners in safeguarding the sustainability of coastal resources, while also raising public awareness that a healthy sea is the primary prerequisite for the continuity of coastal communities’ culture and economy.