The word “Dayak” actually means “inland” or “upriver”,
especially where the Indonesian part of Borneo, - called Kalimantan.
The indigenous peoples of are commonly known as Dayak. The
term was coined by Europeans referring to the non-Malay inhabitants of Borneo.
There are over 50 ethnic Dayak groups speaking different languages. This cultural and linguistic diversity parallels the high biodiversity and related traditional knowledge of Borneo.
There are over 50 ethnic Dayak groups speaking different languages. This cultural and linguistic diversity parallels the high biodiversity and related traditional knowledge of Borneo.
Many of Borneo’s languages are endemic. It is estimated that
around 170 languages and dialects are spoken on the island of Borneo and some
by just a few hundred people, thus posing a serious risk to the future of those
languages and related heritage.
Some Dayak people once lived mostly in massive communal
structures known as longhouses. These could be up to 12 metres high and house
over 100 families under one roof, affording safety from attacks during times of
warfare. Inside, families lived in separate apartments arranged along a central
corridor, which served as a communal area.
While some groups still live in longhouses, many have moved into individual houses – either because of government pressure or because inter-tribal warfare has stopped.
While some groups still live in longhouses, many have moved into individual houses – either because of government pressure or because inter-tribal warfare has stopped.
For centuries, the Dayak indigenous people in the Borneo
have managed the forests in sustainable ways. Their practices, supported by
customary regulations and traditional knowledge, have contributed to the
maintenance and preservation of the rich and extraordinary biodiversity of
Borneo.
Communities living in the interior of Borneo are still largely regulated by customary law or adat which govern their daily affairs and management of natural resources within their customary territory.
Communities living in the interior of Borneo are still largely regulated by customary law or adat which govern their daily affairs and management of natural resources within their customary territory.
Communities in the Borneo have long used zoning as a land management tool, where the forest territory of each village or settlement is divided into areas for non-timber forest product (NTFP) collection, hunting, agriculture (rice paddies and swiddens), gardens, old settlements and sacred sites.
All Dayak communities ban the use of chemicals and sophisticated technology for catching fish and only traditional tools like nets, rods and fish traps may be used. All customary regulations state that trees at the headwaters of rivers may not be cut and recommend that salt springs in the forest and common hunting grounds not be damaged.
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