The word “DAYAK” as a common value
Posted by Kasia Kanaun
Dayak
The one very obvious common value that we Dayaks have is the the word DAYAK in itself. It is a very powerful rallying point as it has been acknowledged since Europeans had set foot on this Borneo Island hundred of years ago. Sadly, we Malaysian Dayaks seem to ‘less proud’ of the common value as in the usage of the word DAYAK to refer to ourselves.
Dayak Ethnics
Ask any Dayak of his/her race who originates from say, Lundu, and the first answer most probably “Salako” or “Sebuyau” or “Bijagoi”. If one is from the Singhai (Bau) area s/he most probably would have answered “a Bisinghai”. Forward the same question to a Dayak who hails from say, Saratok or any other Iban area and his/her reply would most probably “Iban Saratok” or “Iban Kanowit”, “Iban Sibu”. Or ask any Dayak from Long Lama or Long Busan, the answer would be “Kelabit” or “Kenyah” or “Kayan” or whatever “Orang Ulu”.
DAYAK – a word for unity
The point is, can’t we identify ourselves as DAYAK first? There is nothing wrong with identifying ourselves by the region where we come from or by the dialect/language that we speak. But we must also strongly and consciously bear in mind that these are one of the most potent “weapons” that are used to disunite us.
DAYAK is used in Indonesia to unite Dayak ethnics
On this, our Indonesian brethren Dayaks have realised much earlier and thus now we need to learn from them how to use the common value of the word DAYAK as a rallying and uniting word put into actions; not just mere slogans and rhetorics.
Enemy of Dayak Unity – is Dayak using ethnic difference
Remember, the number one common enemy of DAYAK UNITY is our ‘disunity’ where the later has been, still is, and will be born into fruition by outside factors by employing various means; the seen and the unseen. This ‘dis-unifying’ movements have been going on for a very long time already; almost all very subtle but highly effective.
Is Dayak leaders being made of used of now?
Remember during the Brooke time where Dayaks were employed to defeat other Dayaks because only Dayaks can fully understand the mentality, strength and weaknesses of fellow Dayaks. The same is happening now though the British has left us since the year 1963. It is still very much in action albeit in very subtle and discreet manners.
Conclusion
So therefore, let us be reminded again that the one UTMOST common value for us Dayaks is in the word “DAYAK” itself. If we fail to begin from there, chances are that these other common values that we are striving for will always remain academic; good for volumes of doctoral thesis.
If I may, thank you.
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Inspirational word from gkm2020
Good write-up brother. I just realised that indeed Brooke used Dayaks against Dayaks, and now the cycles repeat intself.
Dayak is like the Malay word which comprises many etnics or origins of Malays such as Bugis, Jawa, Johor-Riau, Sumatra etc.
The problem is when we resgiter our name, The registration would use Iban, Bidayuh, Kanyan, Kenyah etc. instead of Dayak as the general all-encompassing word.
I was quite proud when I found out a baby born and registered in Labuan has been assigned “Iban or Sea Dayak” Well, at least it contains the word Dayak.
Is it acceptable to just use Dayak to register ourselves with National Registration? Any laws to be changed? How to convince those who oppose the idea of using just the word Dayak?
*Minta ampun aku wai,ukai enggai nulis dalam jaku iban,tang meh ngambi ke semua bala menyadi kitai dayak ke bukai mereti utai ko aku*
Ini adalah kali pertama saya berpeluang berbincang tentang istilah ‘dayak’.Sebuah istilah yang masih menjadi polemik di kalangan komuniti dayak itu sendiri.Saya tidak pasti sama ada istilah dayak diterima pakai oleh etnik lain.Ada yang marah kalau kita panggil dia dayak.Kenapa perlu guna istilah dayak,panggil sajalah iban,bidayuh.Tapi kalau kita panggil diri kita sebagai dayak pun dia tak setuju.Jadi apakah status dayak yang menyebabkan ianya begitu kompleks di kalangan kita?Ini menyebabkan saya tertanya-tanya sama ada persoalan ini masih relevan.
Saya tidak tahu siapa pengasas perkataan dayak.Kalau tuannya ditemui dan ada waris,saya akan sokong diberi penghargaan kepada beliau.Pun begitu,saya tetap anggap beliau sebagai tokoh.Seorang tokoh yang berjaya mengilhamkan perpaduan etnik peribumi di sarawak.Kalau tak kerana perkataan dayak,entah sampai bila etnik iban, bidayuh, melanau, lunbawang, kelabit, beketan, berawan, kejaman, kenyah, kayan, penan, punan, ukit, memaluh, kantu boleh bersatu.
Mungkin ada yang berpendapat saya gila kerana kemungkinan orang yang mewujudkan istilah itu ialah musuh kepada orang dayak sendiri.Satu sentimen untuk mengapi-apikan kaum dayak dengan kelompok lain.Jadi mengapa harus mengagung-agungkan istilah ini?seolah-olah kita pewaris tali barut penjajah.kita kena berbalik kepada sejarah.
Dahulu, satu cara British untuk menakluk etnik peribumi yang begitu ramai di nusantara ialah dengan dasar pecah dan perintah.Mereka akan pastikan kelompok etnik dipecah ikut keserasian budaya,adat,kepercayaan dan cara hidup.Bukan untuk tujuan perpaduan.Tetapi untuk mewujudkan team yang lebih besar bagi memaksimakan kemungkinan konflik.
Jadi,apakah cara yang lebih berkesan selain daripada mengasingkan etnik mengikut kebiasaan masing2.Mereka yang peluk agama islam dan mengamalkan budaya islam dia letak dalam kelompok melayu.Mereka yang tak sokong agama islam tetapi memiliki persamaan dari segi kebudayaan,kepercayaan dan cara hidup didentifikasikan sebagai dayak.Mungkin pada satu sudut untuk memudahkan british urus tadbir sarawak,tetapi dari sudut lain pula boleh jadi ianya sebagai senjata british untuk mewujudkan petarungan yang lebih besar di antara kaum.
Kita boleh tanya pada diri kita sendiri,apakah dengan wilayah yang cukup luas dan etnik yang begitu ramai british dengan hanya beberapa buah kapal dan sebilangan kecil anggota tentera boleh menakluk sarawak kurang daripada setahun dan kekal menjajah selama 100 tahun?Ya mungkin kerana british memiliki senjata yang lebih moden.Tetapi hanya dengan memiliki senapang,dan peluru berpandu apakah boleh british menundukkan segenap lapisan etnik peribumi di seluruh pelusuk sarawak dengan cara pertumpahan darah?Tidak ada pula fakta yang menunjukkan setiap etnik di dari limbang ke kapit(kini)kalah perang dengan british.Tetapi bagaimana british boleh pastikan kita tunduk kepada penjajahan british tanpa menjadi tawanan perang?.Anda mungkin boleh berpatah balik kepada fakta yang saya terangkan.Kerana British berjaya wujudkan pertarungan di antara kelompok besar islam,dayak dan golongan migran (saudagar cina).Sebagai pilihan mereka lantik British untuk tadbir sarawak.Itulah sebab nya sarawak jatuh kepada british.Kerana itu saya berpendapat sentimen dayak itu kekal relevan.
Pun begitu,tidak bermakna mempertahankan istilah ini kita menyokong pengasingan kaum oleh british.Kita guna istilah ini untuk tujuan perpaduan.Kita akui negeri kita di diami oleh masyarakat berbilang kaum,jadi apakah simbol yang boleh menyatukan kita?ternyata sentiment dayak yang british bina dulu berkesan untuk menyatupadukan kita.Buat pertama kalinya dalam sejarah kaum kita tidak lagi berperang sesama sendiri.Kita berdamai dalam rumpun dayak.Kerana itulah saya setuju kita kekalkan istilah dayak dalam diri kita.
Hari ini,Kita mungkin boleh jadikan agama sebagai simbol perpaduan.Ini tidak bermakna kita tidak perlu bersikap angkuh.Mengapa perlu kita gugurkan istilah dayak sedangkan ianya berupaya merentasi sempadan kepercayaan,agama,adat dan budaya suku kaum?Apakah kerana agama,bermakna kita perlu buang sentiment dayak?saya belum pernah melihat orang melayu rugi bila mereka berjuang untuk ‘Melayu’ dan ‘Islam’.Jika tidak kerana Melayu,entah sampai bila orang jawa,banjar,batak akan diwakili.Begitu juga dalam masyarakat kita,jika tidak kerana dayak bila lagi kelompok minoriti seperti penan,punan akan diwakili. Hanya orang yang tidak menghargai semangat perkauman akan beranggapan usaha ini sia2.Itulah sebabnya kita mesti cepat berubah.Buang segala persepsi buruk mengenai kaum kita.Kita gagal bukan kerana dayak sebagai simbol perpaduan,tetapi disebabkan kegagalan kita sendiri untuk memahami erti bangsa kita.
Oleh itu,bersatulah wahai orang dayak demi untuk kepentingan bangsa,agama dan tanah air kita…..MANSANG DAYAK!
dayak…a good name “Dunia Akan Yakin Akan Kita=DAYAK.
Kitai dayak selalu disabung belaya ulih orang bukai. Sida enggai meda kitai begulai laban takut ka ngalah ka sida. musuh dayak selalu ngena cara “divided and rule tauka pecah dan perintah ”
So.. aram diatu, kitai begempung awak ka kitai enda di kemeli orang agi.
Iban Katiba, aku ga enda nemu, wai. Merinsa enda nemu jako laut.
Seriously, coverage of terminology “Dayak” is much wider than the word Iban, Kayan, etc. However in Indonesia, among the Sumatran and Javanese, Dayak is synomymous with “backwardness.”
But the plus side, in Indonesia, it is the central point for unity. In fact the Indonesian Dayaks collectively are anytime more united than us in Malaysia.
Dayak First…Really?
For as long as any Dayak can remember, there’s not a single Dayak worthy as Dayak’s truly legendary warrior or paramount leader fighting wholeheartedly for Dayak cause. None. Even the immediate past and present Dayak leaders, none of them truly as ‘Dayak first, anything else last’ since ‘Money’ first, ‘Power’ second, ‘Lust’ third, maybe ‘fake Christianity concerns’ fourth but ‘Dayak’ being the very last thing in their mind. Just take the top 50 Dayak politicians/ministers/leaders alike and all of them either directly or indirectly own some AliBaba company be it construction builders, developers, suppliers, concessionaires, permit holders with almost 100 percent dependent on govt tits to survive and nearly 100 percent humping on Chinese sub agents/ sub contractors to get their works done on behalf. These Dayaks effectively develop a ‘rent-seeking’ culture, introduced none other than from their Umno masters. Collectively these Dayaks may collect RM4-5billion of govt projects with half a billion ringgit AliBaba quickie cash collected meant for ‘running’ their respective political parties or something. Put it simply as those money for themselves solely and of course providing balls for Yang Dikasihi, not for you or the rest of the Dayaks. It’s all goes back to square one of human nature: every dude for himself and money wanted more than needed.
That is why before you moan about ‘Dayak first, anything else last’ you must tell yourself is that really what you want rather than what Dayaks in general need the most. Yes, it’s need vs want debacle. What you want may not necessarily what you need. More of being realistic rather than over-ambitious. Even our govt of the day doesn’t operate the way we wanted but rather suffice for our basic need. Unity is good, just like many Dayaks want to have a common Dayak language, ‘Dayak’ as common race denominator for non-muslim native Sarawak (thus effectively another major ethnic race) and scores of Dayakism under the sun. But do we Dayaks really need that all stuff? Well my Dayak folks, that is the catch and smell the danger will you. Stuffs on common Dayak identities such as race denominator, Dayak language are good starters but think back where do we go from here? It’s sounds all too familiar when Dayaks try to claim more place in civil service without ever thinking are we competent, qualified, trustworthy enough, let alone being visionary enough to stamp such authority loosely on the fact that we Dayaks are majority Sarawakian therefore we should get our due even resorting on cronism and nepotism. That is Umno culture where you wanted to buy respect and force others to respect you rather than the need to earn it. Yes, in all fairness we Dayaks wanted to be on equal terms with the rest of other races in Malaysia but to chanting ‘Dayak First’ should be on the basis on ‘need’ rather than ‘want’.
I always wanted loss-making palm oil plantation schemes turned into large-scale donkey farming but Dayaks may not fancy the need of enjoying donkey meat which is low in cholesterol just like boer goat muttons, at least that is my view on need vs want. Same principle applied when we Dayaks want to have a many things in common – value, objective, mission, vision, one enemy, one struggle – but in fact Dayaks generally in a dire need of hell lots of things mostly the result of govt’s delay tactics, stupid policies, all the things considered by many Dayaks are almost impossible to fight or change. A state of Dayak hopelessness. Dayaks’ need vs want is truly a case of substance over form. Do not be fooled easily by those ‘Dayak First’ things. Most of the time those Dayak politicians particularly, championing the need of common Dayak language as form of Dayak unity actually the very same goons that has been dividing the Dayaks all these while. A divider crying for unity. How ironic isn’t it my fellow Dayaks, when some politicians try to project something that Dayak don’t really need but being enforced as utmost priority. That is why I always restrain Dayaks from listening to that keroncong song called ‘Segulai Sejalai’ but instead regard certain issue that is in dire need for Dayaks immediately; land and education issue. Both are considered vital resources namely the human capital resources: Chinese schools as alternate education, equal awareness on vocational centres and basic investment for Dayaks.
Dayaks now cannot afford to lose the last treasure of all, that is their land and cannot afford to left behind and mess up with current education system. Without proper check and attention these two nutjobs will affect gravely the younger generation of Dayaks with fast depleting of land rights/ resources and carrying practically a worthless degree. That is far worst than being a poor beggar on the street. Some say beggar cannot be choosy but for Dayaks, we got even nothing to choose in the end! Come to that point of ‘Dayak First’, it’s a good point as future charter but not now. Dayaks will not lost or divided just because we do not have proper civil presence be it common language or common race. Once a Dayak, always a Dayak. Or called it as ‘lakia’ or whatever. A Foochow can only come to terms with a Hakka or HengHua if not as a Chinese. It was the politics and its stupid policies with stupid politicians that divided the Dayaks. The very basic foundation of any community to survive depend on their resources available or in other words the source of livelihood, income, opportunities. For all Dayaks especially the rural Dayaks, the immediate need now is the issue regarding land resources and human capital advantage, the two most precious treasures for Dayak to survive. The future Dayak kids will appreciate us more if now we correct certain things that is vital for their life foundation such as land resources, education assured in right direction and custodian. It’s only natural for them to be as proud and united as one Dayak and everything under the sun is Dayak, rest assured. Maybe with Kalimantan Dayaks as long lost brothers but not as savage murderers of Madura immigrants, mind you.
The Dyaks Blog Final Donkeys:
‘Segulai Sejalai’ is not a keroncong song but a communist pop rock song made popular in North Korea. Sorry my bad.
We cannot deny the “sins of the past.” There is no documentary evidence to record the silent enmity between various Iban groups (let me limit myself to the Ibans – James anak Bond, I am not familiar with other races). Btg Layar and Btg Rejang Ibans traced their differences to the 1800’s. In later years, Ibans from Layar migrated to Pakan and right to Tijar/Baram area. The Skrang Iban moved down the Kanowit to Btg Rejang.
When Sarawak entered Malaysia (subordinated is a better word), two Iban groups were fighting for control, the Layar led by Kalong Ningkan (SNAP), and Btg Rejang led by Jugah/Thomas Kana (Pesaka). The Kayan/Kenyah group was led by Oyong Lawai Ijau (Pesaka). This was fully exploited when Pesaka was assimilated into Bermas, to form the PBB – the big Pesaka managed to be swallowed by a smaller Bermas party. It defeated the SNAP (Kalong).
I don’t have the advantage of detailed research on this. The book “Rising Moon,” I read it many years ago. Some were mentioned by Tunku Abdul Rahman in his autobiography. But what is important now:
1. Dayak disunity inherited from yester years is fully felt today. The good or bad can be seen clearly. Only self-delusionary conclusions deny the many dilemmas of the Dayaks. The “Malay Dilemma” of Dr Mahathir is fully transferred to the Dayaks, all because of the “sins of the past.”
2. The only people capable of reversing this is “us.” Look around, who else are we looking at? It’s only your face and mine. If we put more mirrors around us, maybe we can see more faces, but the efforts are still yours and mine.
The Mong Court incidence – I was listening to the speech of one Iban leader in one longhouse. Present were many Iban leaders, including the late Edward Jeli. “Kita rumah panjai bepecah belah laban kami ketuai bepecah. Tu sebana kita. Diatu kami udah segulai sejalai. Kami dikumbai orang lanun. Tang udah bepilih tu kami deka niki opis baru, laban kitai diatu megai menoa.”
Far from it, far from it. The betrayals and sabotages and a replay of the “sins of the past,” from the Ming Court to day.
Dear Seliong Anak Wau,
Truly, truly I must concur with you. It is a though we have inherited some kind of an “original sin”. It might sound wishful thinking, but some day, just some day, (hopefully in the near future)that Dayaks will realise that disunity will not bring us to any good.
When that day comes, it would not be a day that united Dayaks would be a threat to anyone. When that day comes, it would not be a day that united Dayaks will only serve their personal egos and interests. And that day shall come when we are at peace with ourselves, our neighbours, our egos, our and our country. And when it does come, it will be a time when our unity means peace to everyone, shelter to the have-nots, courage to the meek and strength to nation. When that day will come, we do not know, but if all of us do our part to reach that goal, who knows it might just happen the next sunrise.
Perhaps there is should a Dayak Studies introduced so that the current and coming generations can understand and appreciate the details of their past.
Dear js,
There was a Dayak chair at UNIMAS. I do not know who is heading it now. It was suggested that Dr. Peter Kedit, an anthropologist, to head it. However, Alfred Jabu rejected the recommendation. Dayak studies can be revived, if someone like Dr. Peter is heading the chair.
JS – It is the government of the day which does not allow us to be categorised as Dayaks to serve her policy of dividing and ruling over Dayaks.
THE ONLY way is to vote out Sarawak BN and vote in STAR and Pakatan Rakyat.
Perhaps the weakness of DAYAK is come from the word it self.It’s quite difference sound and intonation between:DAYAK & DAYA’
experience it..!honestly i’m most proud if peoples pronounce it correctly..
in iban language how do we call our uncle..??
either is..AYAK or AYA’…??
my conclusion; there is more nicely to heard DAYA’ & AYA rather than DAYAK & AYAK
notes*
mata=eye
mata’=immature(apin mansau)
matak=pull
make refer to Anthony Richard Iban- English dictionary.
Ukai utai deka ulih diserakupka sida dayak nya, akih. Udah ga jaku mayuh macham, aku pen enda mereti enda nemu jaku sida iya. Jaku Kelabit seleka pen aku enda nemu. Enti kitai nginjau jaku laut nya dikena semua bangsa pen bedau ulih nyerakupka kitai. Ngah laut sama laut pen agi belaya enda ulih diserakupka. Peda Anuar ngaga parti ka diri empu ngelaban UMNO. Kati ulih utai ke baka nya? Tak ngelelak diri meh kitai ke deka ngemanah kadiri kenu ko jaku.
Manah agi setiap kitai idup baka babi, dia dulang penuh, dia ga endor makai. Enda pia, ko dek kaban.
Amat ga ko dek Jangmanchal ke bisi ambai lalai ba gua petang! Nadai jaku nya.
Enti kitai enda bejimat dudi ari, kitai pen bisi ari ngulang pengawa aki ini kelia. Ngah di Palestin, pengawa lama berulang diatu. Kelia sida bebunoh, Goliath ngelaban David, diatu pen agi bebunoh ba sebelah jalai di Isreal, Gaza, Palestin. Kristin munoh kristin enda pedulika bansa, muslim munoh muslim baka di Iraq; Hindu munoh Hindu baka di India; Buddhist munoh Buddhist baka di Thailand….etc.
Au ga. Baka kaban kitai china Tonguyong deka amat nundi tauka ngerakar, nyakap kitai bansa. Bisi sida nya ngena apek bayat deka ngenakutka kitai iban. Sida Tonguyong nya amat main enggau api enggau bansa kitai. Kitai bansa, enti udah ka, sigi enda surut enti udah dichabar bebunoh, lebih agi enti bansa bukai, bansa diri pen bunoh enda betatak. Enti sigi deka jai baka sida apek bayat Tonguyong nya, punas sida nya di menua Sarawak tu.
It’s time we group all the native races in Sarawak under ONE Union DAYAK and ONE Party DAYAK. The baboon will never respect the dayak right. Just see how he divides and rules the dayaks. But there is no one else to be blamed but the opportunist dayaks in each of the dayak races. These dayaks are useless; they are always hopeful to get something better for selfish desire from the white BABOON. Bulu utai pen buban neh apai tuai?