Last month, we were excited to be back in Mentawai, reconnecting with our long-standing partner, Suku Mentawai, and celebrating a major milestone: the official launch of the Rereiket-to-English translation of Sirureman Purimanuajiat ka Simattaoi—Mentawai’s first ethnobotanical field guide!

Back in 2022, we released the Rereiket–Bahasa Indonesia edition—a powerful tool for both language and ecological knowledge preservation. Since then, it has been an essential resource in the Suku Mentawai cultural and ecological education program, helping young Mentawai students learn about the plants that have sustained their ancestors for generations.

Suku Mentawai students identifying plants surrounding their village with the plant field guide. The Rereiket-Bahasa Indonesia translation has been integral in bridging the gap between traditional knowledge transmission methods and the ways students are now learning in the national schooling system.

Now, with the English edition complete, we’re not only realising a vision nearly a decade in the making—we’re opening new pathways for cross-cultural learning and respectful engagement with Mentawai’s extraordinary plant knowledge. This edition serves as an accessible entry point for international readers eager to understand the deep relationship between Mentawai communities and their environment, particularly within the uniquely biodiverse Siberut ecosystem.

Even more importantly, the book will serve as a fundraising tool for Suku Mentawai, supporting their journey toward long-term sustainability and self-determined growth – a vital step to fulfilling IEF’s commitment to Indigenous-led education.

Co-editor Santi Sagari shares:

We hope the English translation of our book will play a crucial role in making the rich knowledge held by our Mentawai community accessible to the international community. We hope it will foster cross-cultural cooperation, support knowledge exchange, and contribute to the global development of ethnobotany. We see that these translations will not only facilitate collaboration between local and international researchers but also help preserve Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage. Additionally, we hope this book will raise international awareness and appreciation of the Mentawai people’s unique cultural and biological legacy, offering valuable insights into Mentawai traditions, deepening their understanding and respect for the unique Siberut biome and our way of life.

Co-editors Santi and Samantha opening the first box of publications in Mentawai & English translation!

We’re incredibly proud to officially hand over this edition to Suku Mentawai. To us, it’s more than just a book—it’s the product of years of collaboration, knowledge sharing, and skills development, led by a passionate local research team committed to cultural resilience.

Huge thanks to everyone who made this possible:

• The Suku Mentawai staff and research team, for their tireless work in documenting, analysing, and editing the guide’s content.
• The National Geographic Society Early Career Grant (EC-53693R-19) for supporting the fieldwork that made this project possible.
• B-Alternative, whose contribution covered critical printing costs for this edition.

And of course, you—our incredible community of supporters—whose belief in our mission fuels every step forward.

Researchers Santi and Bastian deep in the jungles of Siberut, documenting Mentawai’s traditional ecological knowledge with Sikerei Aman Masit Dere.

Researchers Santi, Filemon and Sam in the forests of Siberut collecting plant data and photographs used within the book.

Copies are now available for purchase, and 100% of profits will go directly to Suku Mentawai and the Mentawai communities they serve. Please email admin@iefprograms.org to order a copy!

For those who supported our fundraising drive for this edition, expect to hear from IEF in the coming weeks to arrange delivery of your copy!