The Dayak: Indigenous People and First Nations of Borneo
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| As first nations, the Dayak preserve their identity through language, art, and traditions that have existed for thousands of years. Photo credit: Masri Sareb. |
Being recognized as indigenous people and first nations goes beyond identity—it's about acknowledging their special rights to the land and culture that have existed since prehistoric times. There are several essential criteria for recognizing the Dayak as part of these groups, and below, we'll explore how each of these criteria is reflected in their real-life practices.
A Deep Historical and Cultural Connection to the Land
The first crucial requirement for recognizing the Dayak as indigenous people is their profound, centuries-old relationship with their land.
For the Dayak, the land is not merely a place to live, but it is a repository of their ancestors’ stories and the source of their livelihood. Their land is an integral part of their identity, culture, and spirituality. Every region they inhabit has significant meaning. For example, in the areas surrounding the Kapuas River and Danau Sentarum in West Kalimantan, the Iban and Uud Danum peoples have sacred sites tied to their folklore.
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In West Kalimantan, the Iban and Uud Danum people perform a ritual called "ngabang" (gawai) which serves to honor nature and their ancestors. During this ritual, they use various plants and forest materials, showing their strong ties to the land. They also believe that the land possesses spirits that must be respected, and if the land is disturbed, misfortune will follow.
Moreover, for the Dayak, land management and resource use are deeply embedded in their adat (customary law). This is evident in the practice of shifting cultivation or swidden farming, where the land is rotated for farming without causing ecological imbalance. The land is used sustainably, and after a few years, fields are left fallow to allow the soil to regenerate. This practice not only shows environmental care but also demonstrates how the Dayak maintain a spiritual connection to their land.
A Distinct Legal and Customary System
Another defining characteristic of first nations is the presence of a unique system of law and customs that govern community life, land rights, and relationships among members. The Dayak people have a variety of customary laws that regulate how they live together, manage land, and resolve conflicts. These laws are more than just social rules—they involve spiritual and moral guidelines rooted in their beliefs in ancestors and the forces of nature.
One such system is the pemalu (customary rights) practiced by the Ngaju Dayak, which dictates how land is managed, who has the right to use it, and how agricultural products or resources are shared. There’s a strong emphasis on community cooperation, where individuals are obligated to help each other with farming or building longhouses. Here, customs teach equality, fairness, and teamwork as the keys to a sustainable communal life.
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Further, the Dayak also have a process for resolving disputes through adat law. For example, among the Iban Dayak, if there is a dispute over land or resources, a customary court is held, involving elders and community leaders. This court seeks to resolve the issue fairly, based on the principles of customary justice passed down by ancestors. Those who violate the decision may face fines or even exile from the community.
Recognition of Land and Resource Rights
As indigenous people, the Dayak have special rights to their land, passed down through generations. Recognition of these rights is a crucial condition for being considered a first nation. For the Dayak, land is more than a place to farm or settle; it is a spiritual and cultural legacy. They have the right to manage and use it in line with their ancestral customs. Land is something that cannot be sold or taken without permission from the community.
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The struggle of the Dayak to protect their land rights is evident in conflicts with palm oil companies or mining industries. In West Kalimantan, many Dayak communities have fought to keep their ancestral lands from being taken over by large companies with commercial interests. In Sekadau and Sanggau, Dayak people have actively protested against land-use permits granted to companies that disregard their adat rights.
In some areas, like in Central Kalimantan, Dayak communities have fought back against land grabs by the palm oil and mining sectors. They demand that their traditional land rights be recognized and protected by the government. These movements aim to reclaim control over their ancestral lands so that they can manage and utilize them in line with their sustainable customs.
Identity Maintained Through Language and Traditions
As first nations, the Dayak preserve their identity through language, art, and traditions that have existed for thousands of years. Language is a reflection of their worldview; every word has deep meaning and is tied to nature and their social life. Beyond language, art forms such as Dayak tattoos, woven fabrics, and dances serve as outlets for expressing and preserving their identity.
In Kalimantan Barat, the Dayak tattoo, such as the well-known terong flower motif, is not just a form of body art but a symbol of social status, bravery, and a connection to nature. These tattoos are etched into the skin as a tribute to their ancestors and the surrounding natural world. Similarly, the Dayak's woven fabrics, particularly ikat textiles, are not just clothing but carry philosophical teachings passed down through generations. Each design carries meaning related to life, courage, and hopes for a better future.
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Language, too, plays a vital role in preserving Dayak culture. Despite the pressures of globalization and the widespread use of Bahasa Indonesia, Dayak languages continue to be spoken in everyday life, and they are vital in cultural ceremonies such as ngabang or traditional celebrations. In these rituals, Dayak languages are used to express prayers and hopes to their ancestral spirits, further reinforcing their cultural identity.
The Ongoing Struggle for Recognition and Protection of Rights
Finally, being indigenous people and first nations means advocating for recognition of their rights at both national and international levels. This recognition is crucial to ensure that their land, culture, and freedoms are protected from exploitation.
Organizations like the Ikatan Cendekiawan Dayak Nasional (ICDN) and the Dayak Community of West Kalimantan are actively involved in fighting for the rights of the Dayak people, particularly regarding the protection of their land and culture.
These organizations also advocate for the recognition of the Dayak’s economic, social, and cultural rights at both national and international levels, such as those outlined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP).
Another example is the establishment of customary law institutions aimed at offering legal protection to Dayak communities. These institutions collaborate with the government to ensure that development policies do not harm the rights of indigenous people.
The Dayak People’s Enduring Connection to Land, Culture, and Identity
The Dayak people, as indigenous inhabitants of Borneo, have a profound and enduring connection to their ancestral land. Long before the establishment of modern nation-states, they had already developed intricate customary laws, spiritual beliefs, and communal ways of life that reflected their deep respect for nature. Their identity is not merely defined by geographical boundaries but by centuries-old traditions that shape their worldview and daily existence. The longhouse, a quintessential feature of Dayak settlements, stands as a testament to their communal spirit, where generations live together, bound by kinship and shared responsibilities.
Among the most captivating aspects of Dayak culture is their symbiotic relationship with nature. The Dayak do not see themselves as separate from the land but as an integral part of it. Their agricultural practices, such as shifting cultivation, are rooted in sustainable methods that ensure the fertility of the soil while maintaining the balance of the ecosystem. Sacred forests, rivers, and mountains hold spiritual significance, reinforcing their role as custodians of nature. This profound connection influences their decision-making, from rituals and ceremonies to governance systems that prioritize environmental conservation.
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Dayak customary laws, or adat, regulate every aspect of life, from marriage and conflict resolution to land ownership and spiritual obligations. These laws are passed down through oral traditions and remain central to their society despite external influences. Unfortunately, modernization and large-scale economic activities, such as palm oil plantations and mining, threaten the continuity of these traditional laws. However, the resilience of the Dayak people is evident in their persistent efforts to assert their rights and maintain their autonomy. By revitalizing their adat and integrating it into contemporary legal frameworks, they continue to uphold justice and fairness within their communities.
The struggle to protect their ancestral land is at the heart of the Dayak identity. As first nations, they have experienced numerous challenges, including land encroachment and marginalization. Yet, through advocacy, legal battles, and cultural revitalization movements, they persist in defending their territories. The longhouse, once solely a symbol of tradition, has also become a space for political discourse, where indigenous leaders gather to strategize on land rights and cultural preservation. In this way, their heritage is not just a relic of the past but a living, evolving force that sustains their identity.
Recognizing the Dayak as first nations means acknowledging their right to self-determination, cultural preservation, and sustainable land management. Their wisdom, encoded in rituals, oral histories, and traditional knowledge, holds valuable lessons for modern society, especially in addressing environmental crises. By safeguarding their customs, language, and traditions, the Dayak people ensure that their legacy continues for generations. Their story is not just about survival but about thriving in a world that often challenges their existence—an inspiring testament to the strength of indigenous identity.