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The perspective of disaster has shifted from that of an inevitable catastrophe to a natural phenomenon in which the impact can be reduced by strengthening existing capacity within the community. Local capacity played an important part in disaster risk reduction. This is especially true in Indonesia where disaster can strike anytime because of its geographic location. Several studies have been done to identify local wisdom related to disaster risk reduction in Indonesia. However, the study of Mapalus local wisdom in Tombulu people in Tomohon, North Sulawesi related to disaster risk reduction is little to non-existent. Therefore, an effort toward linking Mapalus local wisdom and practices in Tombulu community was made in an attempt to fill the gap in the literature. This paper correlates social and economic capital found in existing Mapalus local wisdom and practices with sustainable livelihood perspective for disaster risk reduction. Future research may refer to this paper as a stepping stone toward unraveling the spirit of Mapalus in disaster risk reduction context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: Mercy Maggy Franky Rampengan, Agni Klintuni Boedhihartono, Chris Margules, Jeffrey Sayer, Lisa Law, Jean-Christophe Gaillard, Ong Thi Ngan Tien, Tran Thi My Linh Keywords: agroforestry; disaster risk reduction; livelihoods; small islands; hazards; volcanic risks Abstract This paper draws on the literature on agroforestry, disaster risk reduction, and livelihoods of people on small islands as it applies to a community prospering in conditions of adversity in Kinali village on Siau Island, Indonesia. Siau Island produces between one-third and one-half of all nutmeg and mace exported from Indonesia. The Kinali community has adopted strategies that enable it to prosper in spite of the risks of living on a small island with an active volcano. The paper charts the sociocultural dynamics of the village and examines how local coping mechanisms based on an agroforestry economy have assisted villagers in dealing with the multiple hazards and constraints arising from the biophysical characteristics of their island. The paper thus contributes to more informed responses to managing volcanic risk.