Dayak is one of Indonesia multicultural tribes. Dayak is located at the biggest island of Indonesia archipelago, called as Borneo or Kalimantan. Dayak is the name for a group of tribes who live in Borneo. Dayak has lived in all over the island. These are some Dayak tribes: Dayak Benuaq, Dayak Tonyooi, Dayak Kenyah, Dayak Bahau and Dayak Modang. All of these tribes have many differences of cultures and societies.
According to the history, all the tribes of Dayak are not native people of the island but their ancestors came from the migrations of the Mongols, so Dayak have Mongolian origin rather than Malayan origin. Their habitats are forests and living by hunting. But, some Dayak tribes also live by agriculture.
The origin of Dayaks are animism and ancestors' worshipers. They also believe that the ancestors souls may live in animals, plants, natures even in handicrafts. This beliefs have similarity with the belief of native tribes people who live in America continental. But, because of influences of outsiders, the Dayaks now also hold another beliefs too. The Dayaks are also known have magic power, both which are called as white and black ones. By magical acts, the Dayaks magicians may control one's psychology to do as the magicians will to do.
More information of Dayak cultural society can browse here.
This picture on the right shows the similar custom of Dayak traditional dancing dress with the Chinese traditional opera and dancing dress.
This picture on the right shows the similar custom of Dayak traditional dancing dress with the Chinese traditional opera and dancing dress.
