The Dayak or Dyak or Dayuh are one of the native groups of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic groups, located principally in the central and southern interior of Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory, and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily identifiable. The Dayak were animist in belief; however, since the 19th century there has been mass conversion to Christianity as well as Islam due to the spreading of Abrahamic religions.
West Kalimantan is a province of Indonesia. It is one of five Indonesian provinces comprising Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of the island of Borneo. Its capital and largest city is Pontianak. It is bordered by East Kalimantan and Central Kalimantan to the east, the Malaysian state of Sarawak to the north, and the Bangka Belitung Islands to the west and the Java Sea to the south. The province has an area of 147,037 km2, and had a population of 4,395,983 at the 2010 Census and 5,414,390 at the 2020 Census; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 5,623,328, and was projected to rise to 5,695,500 at mid 2024. Ethnic groups include the Dayak, Malay, Chinese, Javanese, Bugis, and Madurese. The borders of West Kalimantan roughly trace the mountain ranges surrounding the vast watershed of the Kapuas River, which drains most of the province. The province shares land borders with Central Kalimantan to the southeast, East Kalimantan to the east, and the Malaysian territory of Sarawak to the north.
Central Kalimantan is a province of Indonesia. It is one of five provinces in Kalimantan, the Indonesian part of Borneo. It is bordered by West Kalimantan to the west, South Kalimantan and East Kalimantan to the east, Java Sea to the south and is separated narrowly from North Kalimantan and Malaysia by East Kalimantan's Mahakam Ulu Regency. Its provincial capital is Palangka Raya and in 2010 its population was over 2.2 million, while the 2020 Census showed a total of almost 2.67 million; the official estimate as at mid 2023 was 2,774,747, and was projected to rise to 2,809,700 at mid 2024.
The culture of Indonesia has been shaped by the interplay of indigenous customs and diverse foreign influences. With over 1,300 distinct ethnic groups, including significant Austronesian and Melanesian cultures, contributing to its rich traditions, languages, and customs, Indonesia is a melting pot of diversity. Positioned along ancient trade routes between the Far East, South Asia, and the Middle East, the country has absorbed cultural practices influenced by Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Islam, and Christianity. These influences have created a complex cultural tapestry that often differs from the original indigenous cultures.
Kaharingan is an indigenous monotheistic folk religion of the Dayak people such as Katingan, Lawangan, Ma'anyan, Ngaju, Ot Danum people native to the Central Kalimantan and South Kalimantan region in Indonesia.
Gawai Dayak is an annual festival and a public holiday celebrated by the Dayak people in Sarawak, Malaysia on 1 and 2 June. Sarawak Day is now celebrated on July 22 every year. Gawai Dayak was conceived of by the radio producers Tan Kingsley and Owen Liang and then taken up by the Dayak community. The British colonial government refused to recognise Dayak Day until 1962. They called it Sarawak Day for the inclusion of all Sarawakians as a national day, regardless of ethnic origin. It is both a religious and a social occasion recognised since 1957.
Topeng is a dramatic form of Indonesian dance in which one or more mask-wearing ornately costumed performers interpret traditional narratives concerning fabled kings, heroes, and myths, accompanied by gamelan or other traditional music instruments. Topeng dance is a typical Indonesian dance that can be found in various regions of Indonesia. Topeng dance has the main characteristic that the dancers use masks to cover their faces. The dance will usually be performed by one dancer or a group of dancers.
The Kenyah people are an indigenous, Austronesian-speaking people of Borneo, living in interior North and East Kalimantan, Indonesia and Sarawak, Malaysia.
Dance in Indonesia reflects the country's diversity of ethnicities and cultures. There are more than 600 ethnic groups in Indonesia. Austronesian roots and Melanesian tribal forms are visible, and influences ranging from neighboring Asian and even western styles through colonization. Each ethnic group has its own dances: there are more than 3,000 original dance forms in Indonesia. The old traditions of dance and drama are being preserved in the numerous dance schools which flourish not only in the courts but also in the modern, government-run or supervised art academies.
Hudoq is a masked dance performed during the Erau harvest thanksgiving festival by many of the sub-groups of the Dayak ethnic group in East Kalimantan province, Indonesia. The Hudoq culture and performance are indigenous to the Dayak population of East Kalimantan province, and they are said to have originated from Mahakam Ulu Regency.
The Pandat is the war sword of the Dayak people of northwest Borneo and is never used as a tool. On October 18, 2016, this weapon was featured in season 3 episode 9 of the American bladesmithing competition series Forged in Fire.
The peacock dance or peafowl dance is a traditional Asian folk dance that describes the beauty and the movement of peacocks. There are several peacock dance traditions developed in Asia, including the peacock dances of Myanmar, of the western and northern parts of Cambodia, of West Java in Indonesia, and of the Indian subcontinent in Southern India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh.
Ngajat is popular family of dances among the Iban people in Sarawak, Malaysia. It's also popular in Brunei and West Kalimantan, Indonesia. In 2007, Ngajat was recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Malaysia by Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage.
Kabasaran is a traditional Minahasan martial art and war dance from North Sulawesi in Indonesia. It is performed by several men clad in red costumes, wielding a sword with a shield or a spear. The dancers are called kawasalan, which implies imitating like a pair of fighter cocks. The word kabasaran is derived from kawasalan, which is related to the Sakalele dance, a traditional war dance from the Moluccas. It was simplified and incorporated moves from Quadrille dance.
Katapu or Kalapu is a traditional war cap or helmet used by the Dayaks of Borneo. The katapu is only worn during war.
Baksa Kembang is one of the classical Banjar dances originating from South Kalimantan, Indonesia, which functions as a welcoming dance for guests. This dance is usually played by female dancers with the condition that the number of dancers must be odd.
Tandok dance is a traditional Batak dance originating from the North Sumatra, Indonesia. This dance tells about the activities of harvesting rice using tandok carried out by mothers in the fields. In addition, this dance also contains the importance of family values between each other.
Ireng mask dance also known as Topeng Ireng or Dayakan is a traditional Javanese art that developed in Magelang Regency, Central Java, Indonesia.
The Dohong is a dagger or short war sword from Borneo. The name is used figuratively to imply bravery. In other parts of Borneo, it is simply referred to as Mandau. The Dohong is considered an ancient Dayak sword that was used long before the Mandau was introduced. It is believed to be the oldest weapon of the Dayak people. According to folklore, the first people who owns the Dohong are the forefathers of Dayak people, namely Raja Sangen, Raja Sangiang, and Raja Bunu.
