The life original tribe of Mentawai since is sago cultivation, talas, cathcing fish, licestock and hunting. It was done to fulfill the daily needs. The residents of Uma give their foods each toher and no push to find more finance. Cultivation system is very simple, only needs forest around 0,25-0,50 ha to be cleaned and not burn forest. This condition of life is keeping the condition with forest. Fruits are an important part from food list, especially bananas, or cook and then being cultivated to make “subbet bagok” the special food of Mentawai, and also durians. Durian is consists of three kinds of variety are basic durian, kinoso and toktuk. In their traditional economy, forest was used to collect fruits, vegetables, drucs plants and building materials. Big trees are rarely cut by them, except for house needs or ship. It was used by people as transportation in every river.

Hunting is an activity of Mentawai men. It was related with traditional trust. All of wild animals were hunted in order to get, proteins, except snakes., armadillo, hongkong birds, punai birds, Gin was hung catch foxes and deer.