Decoding The Palongang Paradox: A Decades-Long Reconstruction of Harimau Kampung Kita and Cultural Taboo as Refuge Protection in Melayu Hulu, West Sumatra

This preprint documents a vanished human-tiger coexistence system in Melayu Hulu, Pasaman. Musim Palongang last occurred in the 1980s before ceasing due to forest conversion and tiger decline. Author experienced 3 events as a child. This is not a formal research project but a decades-long reconstruction of lived experiences and community testimonies since adolescence. Uploaded to Zenodo to establish priority and to invite open peer review treated as Q1 review. File 1 is main manuscript, File 2 is cover letter & methodological note explaining honest reconstruction method. License CC BY 4.0.