Food-Feminism: The Contribution of Women to Creating a Sustainable Food System in the Cireundeu Indigenous Village

This research investigates the influence of women on the formation and maintenance of the food system in the Cirendeu Indigenous Village of Cimahi City, West Java. Guided by a food-feminism perspective, it draws on in-depth interviews, participatory observation, focus group discussions, and community documentation gathered between January and July 2023. The research looks closely at how daily practices, like cassava cultivation and the making of rasi (cassava rice), reflect deeper values of care, balance, and spiritual connection with the land. Findings show that Cireundeu women are not merely domestic actors but also the key subjects that manage the entire food chain—from cassava cultivation and its processing into rasi (cassava rice), to storage in the goah (a special room accessible only to women). These customs, “mipit kudu amit, ngala kudu bebeja” and “Gusti nu ngasih, Alam nu ngasah, Manusa nu ngasuh”, do more than just guide their daily life. They express deep care for nature and reject the idea that humans stand above it. This fact is seen during the Seren Taun ceremony, where the link between faith, food, and ecology becomes visible. This proof was seen from the observation of watching the Cirendeu’s women who lead the rituals reminds us that sustainability is not a theory; it is life in a certain practice. However, women's access to land, capital, technology, and formal decision-making spaces remains constrained by Indonesian patriarchal norms. This research affirms that food sustainability can only be achieved if women are recognized as agents of change or the leaders of the change itself, not merely the invisible labor. The study contributes to theoretical discussions in food-feminism and ecofeminism while offering a local model that aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 2 (zero hunger), SDG 5 (gender equality), SDG 12 (responsible consumption), SDG 13 (climate action), and SDG 15 (life on land).