Book Review | The Story of Integration and Identity in Central Kalimantan

Title: Pakat Dayak: Sejarah Integrasi dan Jatidiri Masyarakat Dayak Daerah Kalimantan Tengah
Author: Prof. KMA M. Usop, M.A.
Publisher/City: Yayasan Pendidikan dan Kebudayaan Betang Garing (YPK-BG) / Palangka Raya
Year of Publication: 1996

In the heart of Borneo’s thick, misty rainforests, a story of reconciliation and cultural resilience quietly unfolds — a story many outside Indonesia have never heard. 

It is a story about the Dayak people, the indigenous stewards of Central Kalimantan, and their remarkable journey of survival, adaptation, and self-definition in a world that has often overlooked their narrative.

In Pakat Dayak: Sejarah Integrasi dan Jatidiri Masyarakat Dayak Daerah Kalimantan Tengah, Prof. KMA M. Usop captures this journey with the precision of a scholar and the empathy of someone who understands that culture is not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing force. 

The book, a labor of both intellect and heart, delves deep into the social, cultural, and political evolution of the Dayak people, offering readers an intimate glimpse into a world that has been shaped as much by ancient traditions as by modern transformations.

At the core of Usop’s narrative is the 1894 Peace Gathering at Tumbang Anoi — a historic moment when dozens of Dayak leaders from across Kalimantan traveled treacherous rivers and dense jungles to meet, not for war, but for peace. 

In a society where ngayau (headhunting) had long been entwined with honor and survival, this gathering represented a seismic shift. The decision to end headhunting wasn’t imposed by colonial powers or missionaries; it was an indigenous movement for change, born out of dialogue and a profound rethinking of communal values.

Usop treats this moment with the respect and gravity it deserves. Through vivid detail and careful research, he reconstructs how Dayak leaders debated, resisted, and ultimately embraced a new path forward. For readers unfamiliar with Southeast Asian indigenous histories, this episode alone makes Pakat Dayak an essential read.

But the book doesn’t stop at recounting history. It explores the complex tapestry of Dayak identity, weaving together elements of mythology, governance, social structure, and daily life. Concepts like habunu (brotherhood) and hatetek kahayau (battle cry) are introduced not as exotic curiosities, but as windows into the soul of a people who have long valued courage, solidarity, and resilience.

The structure of Pakat Dayak is meticulously organized, divided into three interconnected sections that mirror the Dayak’s historical journey — from their ancient past, through periods of colonial interaction, to their ongoing efforts to forge a contemporary cultural identity in the post-independence era. 

This structure makes the book accessible even to non-academic readers, though some may find the technical language and dense referencing a bit challenging at times. Nevertheless, Usop’s clear passion for his subject shines through, offering readers a guiding hand through the more intricate discussions.

Importantly, Pakat Dayak is not a nostalgic lament for a "lost" culture. Instead, it portrays the Dayak as active agents of their own destiny, constantly negotiating their place in an ever-changing world. This perspective is refreshing in a genre where indigenous peoples are too often depicted either as victims of modernization or as frozen in time.

Prof. Usop’s work stands out for its commitment to presenting the Dayak people on their own terms — not merely as footnotes in Indonesia’s national story, but as central characters in their own rich, complex saga. His portrayal challenges the reader to rethink stereotypes about tribal societies and to appreciate the nuanced ways in which tradition and modernity coexist.

In a globalized world that tends to flatten cultural differences in the name of progress, Pakat Dayak is a powerful reminder that integration does not mean erasure, and that identity is not something to be sacrificed, but something to be continually reimagined.

Ultimately, Pakat Dayak is more than a scholarly work; it is a bridge — between past and present, between the Dayak and the world beyond their forests. It invites readers not just to learn about the Dayak people, but to listen to them, to see them, and to understand that their story, like all human stories, is one of struggle, change, and hope.

If you seek a book that combines rigorous research with heartfelt storytelling, that brings you into the pulse of a vibrant and evolving culture, then Pakat Dayak is an essential journey — one that will leave you not just more informed, but profoundly moved.

-- Amee Lea Koa