The Dayak People: Who Are They?
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| The Dayak people today have grown into a middle-class ethnic group, educated, and literate in all dimensions; in stark contrast to the portrayal of the past. Photo documentation: Masri Sareb Putra. |
PONTIANAK- dayaktoday.com: To truly understand the character and essence of the indigenous people of a place, it’s essential to first delve into their origins and historical context.
This is particularly true when seeking to understand the Dayak people, the original inhabitants of Borneo—the third-largest island in the world. Moreover, understanding the Dayaks provides key insights into the root causes of inter-ethnic conflicts that have occurred on this island.
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Like many great quests, it has a beginning, but its end remains elusive. The term terra incognita, first coined in Ptolemaic geography around 150 AD, refers to unknown regions on maps—areas untouched and undocumented. As soon as even a single footprint marks such territory, it becomes a milestone, often opening new doors for further exploration and discovery. The history of the Dayak people, in many ways, mirrors this metaphor.
Indigenous Roots of Borneo
For thousands of years, there has been no comprehensive account detailing the history of Borneo’s indigenous inhabitants. As we begin this narrative, it’s important to acknowledge that we are stepping into the terra incognita of Dayak history—a challenging and exhaustive endeavor.
The materials used to piece together this narrative were not gathered overnight; they’ve been collected since 1984. Early glimpses of this research appeared in publications like Kompas (March 11, 1984), with articles such as “Tindakan Preventif untuk Mengurangi Penurunan Budaya 'Mangkok Mera' -- Preventive Actions to Reduce the Decline of ‘Red Bowl’ Culture.”
Over the decades, subsequent findings were published in cultural magazines, academic journals, and eventually a monograph titled Dayak Djongkang (2010).
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Despite these efforts, the existing body of work remains fragmented. There is no single library or comprehensive monograph on the history of the Dayak people. Most existing works cover specific regions or time periods, leaving gaps that prevent a full understanding of “Who are the Dayak people?”
The Challenges of Exploring Dayak History
Entering this field of study means stepping into a red zone—an epistemological challenge that bridges what is known with what remains unknown. It is a journey that requires tremendous effort to collect, categorize, compare, and present reliable materials. The complexity of the task is compounded by the sheer volume of secondary sources researchers must rely on, as primary sources are scarce.
Many scholars have attempted to define the Dayak people. Authors such as Tjilik Riwut (1952), H.B. Ukur (1971), JU Lontaan (1975), A. Coomans (1987), and Masri Sareb Putra (2010) generally agree that “Dayak” is a collective term referring to the native inhabitants of Borneo who were largely uninfluenced by external religions or cultural forces. This distinction between Dayak and non-Dayak reflects the “authenticity” of the Dayak people as the island’s indigenous population.
The Term "Dayak" and Its Historical Context
The term “Dayak” was first documented by J.A. Hogendorff in 1757 in a monograph on Banjarmasin, where it was used to refer to the “binnenlanders”—inland people as opposed to coastal settlers. This label signified the native inhabitants of Borneo, the legal heirs of the land, often described as living in the upstream areas, away from the coasts.
Based on scientific research and carbon dating, humans have been in the Niah Caves in Miri for around 40,000 years. So, the Dayak didn’t come from anywhere else. The migration patterns of the Iban and Lundayeh show that the people of Varuna-Dvipa (Borneo during the Hindu Indian influence) left the island, not the other way around. So, if there’s any similarity between the Dayak and people from other continents or islands, it can be traced back to the Niah Caves before the glaciation (Bellwood and Blust).
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Early Dutch writers, such as Jan B. Ave and V.T. King, also used the term to describe these communities, but their works relied on secondary sources, like those of Van Enthoven, Nieuwenhuis, and Mallinckrodt. This underscores the importance of tracing primary sources to uncover the true roots of the term “Dayak.”
Diversity Within the Dayak People
The Dayak people today have grown into a middle-class ethnic group, educated, and literate in all dimensions; in stark contrast to the portrayal of the past. The Dayak population worldwide now exceeds 8 million, according to a 2019 release from the Ikatan Cendekiawan Dayak Nasional (ICDN) in Samarinda. Borneo’s indigenous population is extraordinarily diverse. Early researchers categorized the Dayak into at least seven major ethnolinguistic groups, which include around 450 sub-tribes.
Later studies have revealed even more subgroups. For example, researchers at the Institute of Dayakology in 2008 identified 151 Dayak sub-tribes in West Kalimantan alone
These classifications are based on shared language, customs, geographic location, physical traits, rituals, and artifacts. This diversity reflects the richness of Dayak culture but also highlights the immense challenge of documenting it comprehensively. Each new study builds on previous research, adding to the ever-expanding understanding of the Dayak people.
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Who are the Dayak people?
The question, “Who are the Dayak people?” does not have a simple answer. It is not merely a matter of identifying an ethnic group but rather an invitation to embark on a journey through history, anthropology, linguistics, and sociology.
The Dayak people are not a monolithic entity but a diverse and complex mosaic of cultures, languages, and traditions that have evolved over centuries. Their identity is shaped by their deep connection to the land, their spiritual beliefs, and their intricate social structures, which vary from one sub-group to another.
Borneo, the vast and ecologically rich island they call home, has been a cradle of civilization for the Dayak people, offering them both sustenance and challenges. Their history is intertwined with the ebb and flow of migration, trade, and adaptation to external influences. While some Dayak groups have maintained their traditional way of life, others have embraced modernization, blending ancestral wisdom with contemporary realities. Despite these changes, their core values—such as communal living, respect for nature, and the preservation of oral traditions—continue to define their cultural identity.
Understanding the Dayak people requires a holistic perspective that goes beyond superficial categorizations. It involves examining their myths and folklore, their artistic expressions, and their role in shaping the historical narrative of Borneo. Their contributions to the island’s history are invaluable, yet many aspects of their past remain shrouded in mystery, waiting to be explored and documented. Every step taken in uncovering their story is not just an academic pursuit but a deeper recognition of a people whose resilience and cultural richness continue to shape the identity of Borneo today.