Lematang communities first expanded along the Bukit Barisan Mountain Range. Today, the Indonesian government has designated the city of Lahat as the capital of the district. Like the Pasemah, the Lematang are a rural people, living in villages of 50 to 1,000 people. Much of the country is covered by jungle, but the villages are located along the coasts, rivers, and roadways. Within their settlements, the Lematang build their houses on stilts raised four to eight feet off the ground.
Rubber is the main cash crop, but coffee and rice are also grown.
Wet-rice plots are worked by hoeing, or by plowing with oxen or water buffalo. Planting and harvesting are usually done by either hired mixed-sex work groups or by the extended family members. Farmers often use tractors in cultivating their crops. A farmer will usually set aside a portion of the proceeds from his harvests for several years, and then buy a tractor from the government. Since most of the people make their living from farming, major ceremonies are usually held immediately following harvest.