Indigenous Land Dispute Resolution in Indonesia: Exploring Customary Courts as an Alternative to Formal Judicial Processes

Indigenous tribes struggle to protect their lands, identities, and livelihoods throughout conflicts. Indigenous areas are threatened by resource exploitation and development-related land ownership conflicts, requiring efficient conflict resolution. International frameworks for post-conflict property recovery rarely address customary land rights. This study examines Indonesian traditional courts as alternatives to indigenous land disputes. It investigates the legal coherence, justice, and utility of traditional judicial proceedings using secondary legal sources in a juridical-normative manner. The study compares customary and formal legal systems, evaluates traditional court procedures for fairness, and examines their effects on sustainable land management and community empowerment. Customary justice procedures should be integrated into the legal system to promote inclusive and sustainable development and safeguard indigenous rights and traditions. The paper recommends stronger cooperation between formal and customary legal systems and suggests future research to resolve constraints and improve understanding of customary law dynamics in settling indigenous land issues in Indonesia.