Dayak is the designation of Kalimantan`s indigenous people. There are various explanations concerning the term`s etymology. According to Lindblad, “Dayak” derived from “daya”, a Kenyah (a sub-group of Dayak) word which means “upper course (of a river)” or “hinterland”. Another expert, Victor T. King in Maunati (2004), believes that “Dayak” might derive from “aja”, a Malay word which means “original” or “indigenous”. As time went by, the term in its general meaning is used to refer to “non-muslim and non-Malay people who live in the hinterlands of the island (Kalimantan)”.

On the word of Roedy Haryo Widjono (1998), Dayak ethnic group originally came to the island from Asian continent in massive migrations that took place between 3000-1500 BC. The immigrants were from Yunan Province, South China. A part of them travelled to Tumasik (Singapore), Malay peninsula and then finally to Borneo (Kalimantan). Others chose another “entrance” that was through Hainan, Taiwan, and the Philippines islands. Among the “first wave” immigrants are the Negrid and Weddid or commonly known as the Proto Malay people, while those of the “second wave” are called the Deutro Malay. The latter group resided in coastal areas of Kalimantan and is now known as the Malay ethnic group.

When first arriving in Kalimantan, the “first wave” immigrants actually dwelled in coastal zones. However the “second wave” migration pushed them away to hinterlands to inhabit upriver areas. Then, they started to be called as “orang hulu (upriver people)” and later, the Dayak.

(Tunggul Tauladan/ensi/01/01-2010)

Translation by Reza Daffi (terj/08/02-10)

Daftar Bacaan:

• Musni Umberan et.al., 1993. Sejarah kebudayaan Kalimantan, Jakarta: Proyek Inventarisasi dan Dokumentasi Sejarah Nasional.
• Roedy Haryo Widjono, 1998. Masyarakat Dayak menatap hari esok. Jakarta: Grasindo.
• Yekti Maunati, 2004. Identitas Dayak: Komodifikasi dan politik kebudayaan. Yogyakarta: LKIS.