The Rise of Dayak Identities in Central Kalimantan

Abstract

The famous Tumbang Anoi peace meeting held in Kalimantan in 1894 has become a milestone of Dayak civilisation. The meeting can be considered as marking the beginning of a resurgence of Dayak identity, underpinned by adat or customary law. However, since that time the historical journey of the Dayak has been coloured by a number of bitter experiences. Some of the most important include the struggle of the Dayak social solidarity movement, Gerakan Mandau Talawang Pancasila, in the 1950s to establish the province of Central Kalimantan; the marginalisation under Suharto’s New Order regime in the 1970s–1990s; and the violent ethnic conflicts between the Dayak and Madurese that culminated in bloody clashes in 2001. These historical experiences have helped the Dayak construct a strong collective identity, a ‘resistance identity’. They have provided important lessons for the Dayak to evaluate themselves, to build self-confidence and to strengthen ethnic solidarity. The culmination of the political process of Dayak identity formation occurred during the administration of Agustin Teras Narang as the governor of Central Kalimantan (2005–2015). His development programmes have aimed at increasing prosperity, dignity and ethnic solidarity among the Dayak, and, to this end, it can be argued that Narang has succeeded.