Revealing The Hidden Treasures of The Dayak

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Reaveling The Hidden Treasures of The Dayak

     In the Indonesian archipelago live over 220 million people of more than 300 ethnic groups. The Javanese and the Sundanese make up the majority of the population, but there are a number of minor ethnic groups such as the Sasak and the Dayak. Living in the depths of the dense forests in Borneo, Dayak people, who are naturally honest and helpful, kept their remarkable traditions and beautiful craftwork hidden from the rest of the world for a long time.
     The indigenous inhabitants of Borneo are scrupulously honest and helpful by nature. Their houses and valuable belongings are usually left unlocked and unattended. To them theft is unimaginable. Mutual help and cooperation that they value are shown in their tradition of living in big families in longhouses. The number of family members that a longhouse accommodates varies up to 50. Family members and relatives help each other with domestic chores. Men and women share equal responsibilities in many aspects of life, including childcare.

 A longhouse

     Dayak people have various traditions in terms of clothing. Though today most of them wear modern clothes, some men still wear animal-skin vests and some women still wrap themselves in bark cloth. Men of the Dayak Kenyah, one of the over 200 various Dayak tribes, wear headdresses adorned with feathers. Dayak people traditionally wear charms all over their bodies: anklets, necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. In the past, women perforated their elongated earlobes, which were considered a sign of beauty. Dayaks are also accustomed to wearing tattoos, which are not only decorative but also meant for others to recognize tribe, social rank, and acts of bravery. However, modern values that many Dayaks are exposed to have weakened many of these traditions.

A Dayak woman with her elongated earlobes

     Dayak people are famous for their fine handicrafts. Their fine-quality, beautiful, and durable lampits (mats) and baskets have gained fame throughout the country. Many different Dayak tribes are also excel at weaving. Using simple, horizontal looms, Dayak women weave the exquisitely colored woven cloth ikat. Dayak ikat differs from ikats of other ethnic groups in that it is less stiff, less formal, and more colorful. Dayak women are also well-known for their excellent work with glass beads, which usually features a black design against a yellow background. Dayaks traditionally decorate their sword sheaths, head bands, and skirt hems with tassels and colorful beaded embroidery. Beaded key chains and pen or pencil cases have become popular souvenirs from Borneo.  

Craft from Dayak

     These natives of Borneo are helpful, cooperative, and creative individuals with an exquisite sense of arts. The beauty of their creations, long hidden in the dark interiors of Borneo, has finally come out. Hopefully their beautiful way of life will not fall victim to the negative aspects of modern life, as have their forests.



Made By :
Christabel Pangesti
Regina Pacis JHS
IX A / 7

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