Today, it is better known as praying ceremony to beg Bungan Malan Peselung Luan and Bali Utung for kindness to make the land they just clear fertile. The rite is carried on to ask for abundant crops and for plant protection from diseases and pests. Earlier, Erau Kepala used to be a head-hunting tradition and usually called mamat (head-hunting feast). This is a characteristic of Dayak ethnic group. Heads are a symbol of offerings for Bungan Malan Peselung Luan when asking something, including fertile land.

However, since the late of 1980, the head hunting rite has been forbidden. As a result, Erau Kepala is now practiced without head-hunting. As said by Frank M. Lebar in Maunati (2004) “As the head-hunting tradition begun to be excluded from the ceremony by the beginning of the century, fossilized heads (skulls) or various other objects are used as substitute.”

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

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

Reference:

• Yekti Maunati, 2004. Identitas Dayak: Komodifikasi dan politik kebudayaan. Yogyakarta: LKIS.
• “Kehidupan Suku Dayak kenyah (Kalimantan Timur)”, downloaded from http://adbpolnes.blogspot.com/, on January 28, 2010.