Dayak
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The Dayak (La-kia) people are indigenous occupants of the Kalimantan region of Borneo. The name, meaning 'upstream' or 'inland', was applied by the mainly Islamic coastal population as a blanket term for over 200 tribal groups, each with its own language and culture. Traditionally, each group lives in a communal longhouse. There are about 3 million Dayaks (est. 2003) on Borneo. The Iban or Sea-Dayaks (Daya) live in coastal Western Sarawak.
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History
It is believed that the indigenous peoples on Borneo, including the Dayaks, are descendants of Austronesian peoples from Asia who are believed to have arrived about 3000 years ago, displacing or augmenting the previous population. The immigrants spoke Austronesian languages from which the Dayak languages are descended. About 2400 years ago, the inhabitants learned metalworking skills from the Asian Dongson culture. In the 1950s, the Dayaks were still using metal and stone tools.
The history of the Iban is committed to memory and recorded in a system of writing on boards (papan turai) by the initiated shamans (lemambang). Elaborate genealogies go back to 15 generations or more with a surprising degree of accuracy. Some genealogies are as long as 25 generations and can still be connected with actual places and incidents. A genealogy (tusut) normally begins with the most remote ancestor and is a list of who married and begat whom. Sometimes, the ancestors are characterised in short descriptions. Other songs contain historical information as well, for example the pengap, a ritual chant sung during each major festival, that recounts deities and the deeds of the ancestors.
According to oral histories, the Iban arrived in western Sarawak from Indonesia about 1675. After an initial phase of colonizing and settling the river valleys, displacing or absorbing the local populations of Bukitans and Serus, a phase of internecine warfare began. Local leaders were forced to resist the tax collectors of the Malay sultans (Brunei). At the same time, Malay influence is felt, and Iban leaders begin to be known by Malay titles like Oran Kaya. Several of the Malays active on the river-estuaries claimed to be descendants of the prophet, like Indra Lela, Sharif Japar and Sharif Sahap. Sharif Ahmit was killed by the Iban. The Bajau and Illanun, coming in galleys from the Philippines plundered in Borneo and were fought by the Iban, for example by the famous Lebor Menoa from Entanak near modern Betong. Oral history reconts how Lebor Menoa encountered Chinese traders who came in ships to the Saribas in order to sell cooking pots, brass pots, pottery bowls, shell armlets and cowry shells for padi.
The Malay leader Indra Lela, brother of Lela Wangsa of Lingga and Lela Pelawan incited the Saribas and Skrang Ibans to warfare against the Sebuyau Dayaks in order to control them. The Saribas were led by Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana of the Padeh, in alliance with Linggir of Paku[1] (http://www.geocities.com/ufloor/history2.html) (Mali Lebu), Bunyau of Entanak and Bulan of Ulu Layar. The Skran were led by Rentap (Libau), Orang Kaya Gasing and Orang Kaya Rabong. About 1834, the Skrang made a raid on Banting Hill, inhabited by Balau Dayaks and Malays, who suffered heavy losses. Three years later, Orang Kaya Pemancha Dana made war on the Undup Ibans who had killed his brother, and utterly defeated them, taking many captives and looting a famous guchi jar that was thought to have magical properties. The surviving Undup Ibans took refuge in the Kapuas valley and Lingga and later settled in the area of Salimbau. Only under the rule of Brooke did they return to Banting hill, which had meanwhile been settled by the Skrang. The Sebuyau Sea Dayaks under Orang Kaya Temenggong Jugah of Lundu attacked Paku on the Saribas at about the time. He attacked Matop, and most inhabitants fled.
Ca. 1838, the Balau Sea Dayaks raided the Saribas und the Krian east of the Saribas under the leadership of Lang and his son-in-law Orang Kaya Janting. They split, Lang attacking the Saribas, Janting going to the Kalaka. Lang met a Saribas host on the way to attack Banting. The Balau were badly defeated, and Lang was killed, together with 132 men. In the Kalaka, Janting went up the Melupa and attacked a longhouse of Orang Kaya Temenggong Tandok. After heavy fighting, the Balau won, killing Temennong Tandok and 130 of the Melupa Ibans. The next year, Janting and his warriors made war on Saribas again. The Saribas sought the alliance of Linggir of Paku. But they were beaten at the mouth of the Undai and suffered heavy losses, including all the sons of Orang Kayas Antau and Gun.
The Iban fell under the rule of Rajah James Brooke in 1835. The Iban leader Libau (Rentap) resisted Brooke from his fortress on Mount Sandok. The Ibans of Linggau, the Undup Ibans and the Sebuyau fought for Brooke.
Economy
The Iban practice slash and burn agriculture. The jungle is burnt down to produce rice paddies. Each farm plot is the property of a family-group ('bilek') who lives together in a longhouse. To be the first to cultivate a plot of primary jungle is the source of enormous prestige. After the jungle has been burnt down and the area cleared, the men dig holes and the women plant the seeds in them. In the morning, offerings are made to 'Simpualang Gana', the God of the land.
Religion
The Dayak consider their religion to be a form of Hinduism. Their sect of Hinduism is called Kaharingan. Some Dayaks have converted to Christianity and a tiny number of them have converted to Islam and Buddhism as well in the recent years.
Society
Kinship is traced in both the male and female line. The existence of famous ancestors increases prestige and can increase the bride-price asked for a woman. Teknonymy (calling the father or mother after the child) is common practice. Headhunting was an important part of Dayak culture. The captured enemy heads were triumphally brought back to the settlement, received by the women, tied with rattan and hung in bundles from the ceiling of the longhouses. The skulls were placed over the hearths. Each community had a special warrior (Tau serang) who led the raids against the enemy.
Politics
In 2001 the Indonesian government ended the colonisation of Kalimantan that began under Dutch rule in 1905. Under Indonesia's transmigration programme, settlers from densely-populated Java and Madura were encouraged to settle in Kalimantan, but their presence was, and still is, resented by the Dayaks. Economic development of the region, particularly logging, is also damaging the Dayaks' land and sacred sites.
From 1996 to 2003 there were violent attacks on Madurese settlers, including a resurgence of the beheading and cannibalism for which the Dayaks were formerly renowned.
Further reading
Benedict Sandin, The Sea-Dayaks of Borneo before White Rajah Rule (London 1967).de:Dayak id:Dayak