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How Dayak wisdom protects endemic flora and fauna

The Dayak people and their traditional wisdom, which promotes harmony between humans and nature, can inform modern conservation methods and efforts toward sustainability for future generations.

Alue Dohong (The Jakarta Post)
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Jakarta
Wed, October 9, 2024

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How Dayak wisdom protects endemic flora and fauna Dayak youths in traditional dress take a selfie in a paddy field in Ansok village, Sintang regency, West Kalimantan, in this file photo from March 2020. (JP/Syafrizaldi Jpang)

T

he indigenous Dayak community of Central Kalimantan has a long-standing tradition of conserving and protecting natural resources that reflects their socioreligious beliefs. This practice has been ingrained in their civilization since ancient times.

The depiction of human beings in Dayak culture, characterized by magical and spiritual elements, has influenced their religious attitudes toward responsible forest management, including biodiversity.

The community uses various terms like Tajahan, Kaleka, Sapan-Pahewan and Pukung-Himba to express their conservation practices. Each term holds significant meaning and plays a crucial role in modern conservation efforts. These terms encapsulate the essence of sustainable resource management and highlight the Dayak people's deep connection to their environment.

The preservation of flora and fauna among the Dayak community is not merely a cultural practice, but a way of life that promotes harmony between humans and nature. Through their unique terminology and traditional wisdom, the Dayak people offer valuable insights into effective conservation strategies that resonate with contemporary approaches to environmental sustainability.

Tajahan is a place deemed sacred by the Dayak people, especially those who follow the traditional Kaharingan belief system. In Tajahan, the tribe builds a miniature house to place offerings for the spirits that reside in that area. This shrine is typically adorned with several small figurines or effigies to symbolize deceased family members, and the spirits of the deceased are believed to dwell in these figurines to avoid bothering living family members.

Tajahan is usually located in a dense forest and seems haunted. Therefore, human activities such as felling trees, hunting and others are forbidden there. The concept of Tajahan is very relevant to modern conservation activities, as it involves aspects of protecting and preserving biodiversity.

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Kelaka is a historically significant residential area that speaks to the ancestral heritage of the Dayak community. This area is characterized by remnants of long timber posts or stilt houses, as well as ancient fruit trees like durian and duku (langsat).

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