Dayaks
From SgWiki
Dayaks or Dyaks a term generally describing the original people of the Island of Borneo especially those under the region Sarawak and Brunei. The Dutch and English colonists described them as Sea and land Dayaks. Actually, the more accurate descriptions follow along Geographical localities where the tribal people reside. Some lived in the interior regions but stayed near the major river sides for easy access to water resources. Those engaged in padi or rice farming followed various customs according to their traditions as set by their blians or plians ie. shamans or female counterparts. The women and men lived together as unit groups within the context of many families in longhouses. The women and their husbands don't quarrel but may separate to find new partners. The women may practice polyandry (many husbands). They believed in spirits and antohs (bad spirits) and tried to follow the customs and tradtions in their own ways. They are a friend people but they were well known for the old practice of headhunting that is now outlawed. Harvest time is in June and celebrated as their New Year (Gawai).
- The Ibans and Bidayuhs of Sarawak celebrate the end of padi harvesting season with much merry-making, dancing and the drinking of tuak, a potent rice wine. A fascinating Gawai dance is the Ngajat Lesong. A dancer displays his strength and skill by lifting the lesong (the mortar where padi is pounded) with his teeth.
Their customs may as simplistic as the normadic Punans or the more complex as the settled Kenyans, the highlanders or Dusuns ( Sabah) or those like the Kitingans. Many in modern times have became Christians and followed the westerners in the monogamous type of marriages.
[edit] Dayak heirlooms?
Dayak wealth
Among the Sea Dayaks the old jars, which constitute the chief part
of a man's wealth, are distributed among both sons and daughters;
if the jars are too few for equal distribution, they are jointly
owned until one can buy out the shares of his co-owners.
Sources [[1]]
[edit] Links
- Belians refer to ironwood used for totem poles and building houses in Borneo
- see ibans and their traditions[[2]]
- goto see white Rajahs
- goto adat
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