What Characteristics Of The Dayak Tribe? Check 5 Characteristics Here

Illustration of Dayak people (Pixabay)

YOGYAKARTA The Dayak tribe is the largest ethnic group to inhabit the islands of Kalimantan. They are spread across five provinces of Kalimantan, namely West Kalimantan, Central Kalimantan, South Kalimantan, East Kalimantan, and North Kalimantan. So, what are the characteristics of the Dayak Tribe? Let's find out the answer in the review below.

According to the book Betang Tipomorphology of the Central Kalimantan Settlement by Noor Hamidah and Tikata Wijaya Garib, the Dayak Tribe is divided into 4, namely ethnicity, ethnicity or ethnicity, ethnicity, and family ethnicity.

Compiled from various sources, here are some characteristics of the power tribe that you need to know:

The Dayak Tribe has tattoos on various parts of its body, especially in men. For Dayak men, tattoos are considered as a form of art, religion, tradition, to social status.

In a journal entitled The Imposition of Tattoo Culture and Co-Securency on the Dayak Tribe written by Elok Feni Sia and Taufik Akbar Rizki Yunianto, it is explained that the tattoos that develop in the Dayak community are made in various motifs, some are in the form of a person's face, flowers, animals, letters, or other motifs. Each motif has a different meaning.

Quoted from Emmy Indriyawati's book Anthropology, the Dayak tribe has a distinctive dance that usually tells various stories in life.

For example, bamboo dance and floral with the theme of heroism. In addition, there is a chest balean dance with the theme of a request for healing from illness.

The traditional Dayak house is known as Rumah Betang. For the Dayak community, the Betang house is not just a residence, but also a symbol of identity, cultural center, and a reflection of the noble values of the Dayak community.

Quoted from the official website of the Ministry of Education and Culture, the span house was built with an elongated shape and could accommodate tens to hundreds of people. The walls of the betang house are generally made of strong, long-lasting ironwood. While the roof is in the form of a limasan or saddle, made of rumbia leaves or ijuk.

Dayak indigenous peoples, especially those living in the interior of Kalimantan, are known to be close to mystical things.

One of the mystical cultures of the well-known Dayak Tribe is the Tiwah Ritual, which is a funeral ceremony full of symbolism and influence of myths.

In this ritual, the spirit of the deceased is believed to be traveling to the spirit world, and the bereaved family must ensure that the trip is smooth.

In general, there are four religions held by most Dayak people, namely Khatolik, Kristen, Islam, and Kaharingan.

Especially for Kaharingan, this belief is an original religion of the Dayak Tribe. Kaharingan said it came from Danum Kaharingan which means water of life.

However, this belief-residential identity met confusion during the New Order era. During the era of President Suharto's administration, Kaharingan adherents were administratively included in Hindu groups. In fact, the two religions are very different.

Until now, Kaharingan adherents are still struggling to get recognition from the Republic of Indonesia as a separate religion, and separate from Hinduism.

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