Discover the Dayak People of Borneo: Culture, Sustainability, and Resilience

Today, the Dayak have progressed, yet their pristine rainforests are threatened by oligarchs.

 Photo credit: Eremespe.

by Rangkaya Bada

In the lush forests of Borneo, the Dayak people live in a pre-capitalist economic system, blending centuries-old traditions with selective engagement in modern markets. Their way of life is centered on communal farming, sacred land stewardship, and spiritual ties to nature, reflecting a balance that modern societies often struggle to achieve. 

For travelers from Europe and America, visiting Dayak communities offers not only an adventure but also a chance to contribute to cultural preservation and humanitarian efforts.

Borneo Travel invites you to understand how the Dayak manage this delicate balance and how your visit can support their ongoing efforts to protect land, culture, and environment.

Understanding Pre-Capitalism in Dayak Society

The term pre-capitalism, first described by Booke (1948), refers to societies that integrate traditional practices with emerging market activities without fully adopting profit-driven accumulation. In Dayak communities, this manifests in rotational farming, communal land management, and barter-based trade systems.

Agricultural rituals, like nugal or nyabur (community rice planting), highlight cooperation over competition. Surplus harvests are shared among villagers rather than privately accumulated, reinforcing social bonds and spiritual connection to the land. This approach offers a sustainable model of living that prioritizes ecological balance and cultural continuity (Lukas, 2025).

As market forces expand into non-timber forest products, including rattan, damar resin, and other commodities, Dayak communities face internal and external pressures. Traditional lands sometimes transition into individual ownership, generating tensions within communities while also exposing them to corporate interest (Colfer, 2010).

The Threat of Industrial Expansion

The Dayak’s traditional lands face intense pressures from palm oil plantations and mining operations. Since 2000, over 2.5 million hectares of indigenous land in West Borneo have been converted for industrial purposes, often without Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC) (Grace Lukas, 2025). Deforestation has reduced primary forest cover by 30% from 1990 to 2020, threatening not only biodiversity but also Dayak livelihoods (Global Forest Watch, 2023).

Communities encounter difficult choices: accept short-term compensation or defend ancestral lands, which hold spiritual, cultural, and economic significance. Across regions such as Sanggau, Sekadau, Sintang, and Ketapang, the Dayak have faced coercion, manipulated contracts, and criminalization for protecting sacred forests..

Cultural Resilience and Community Initiatives

Despite these challenges, the Dayak demonstrate extraordinary resilience. Their lands are sacred centers of spiritual life, community governance, and intergenerational knowledge (Tsing, 2005). Leaders like Grace Lukas advocate for legal recognition of indigenous territories and ensure that FPIC principles are respected.

Sustainable initiatives have emerged to combine tradition with economic opportunity. Eco-tourism projects allow travelers to participate in cultural experiences, such as visiting longhouses, learning traditional weaving and tattoo art, and observing agricultural practices. Non-timber forest product trade, including honey, rattan, and traditional medicine plants, supports local incomes without compromising ecological integrity.

By engaging with these initiatives, travelers can support the Dayak economy, protect forests, and help sustain cultural practices. This approach mirrors the humanitarian missions of past centuries, where foreign visitors actively contributed to community development and cultural preservation..

Visiting Dayak Villages: A Transformative Experience

For travelers seeking meaningful adventure, visiting Dayak villages provides insights into a lifestyle where sustainability, spirituality, and communal bonds coexist. Some key experiences include:

• Longhouse stays: Live alongside Dayak families, experiencing communal life firsthand.

• Cultural workshops: Learn traditional weaving, carving, and tattoo artistry.

• Guided forest treks: Explore rotational farms, sacred groves, and medicinal plants.

• Community agriculture: Participate in nyabur and other seasonal rituals.

Each visit is an opportunity to contribute directly to the community through responsible tourism. Small fees, donations, and purchases of locally made products ensure that tourism benefits the Dayak without commodifying their culture.

Pre-Capitalism as a Model for Sustainable Development

The Dayak approach offers a blueprint for ethical engagement with natural resources. Pre-capitalist practices balance economic activity with ecological stewardship and social cohesion. As global markets encroach, their experience demonstrates that development does not have to mean cultural erasure.

Legal frameworks, such as FPIC and recognition of customary land rights, are essential for protecting indigenous communities. Travelers and NGOs play a role by advocating for policy support, contributing to community projects, and promoting ethical tourism.

Supporting the Dayak through eco-tourism, cultural exchange, and humanitarian initiatives ensures that their knowledge and traditions persist. This is particularly meaningful for European and American travelers seeking to engage in responsible, impactful travel.

How You Can Make a Difference

1. Travel Responsibly: Choose eco-tourism operators who collaborate directly with Dayak communities.

2. Support Local Products: Purchase crafts, textiles, and sustainably harvested forest products.

3. Participate in Community Programs: Engage in agriculture, workshops, or volunteer initiatives.

4. Advocate for Indigenous Rights: Learn about land rights and support campaigns for legal recognition.

5. Share Stories: Raise awareness among friends, family, and social media networks about the Dayak culture and their challenges.

Your visit is not only an adventure but also a contribution to preserving one of the planet’s most vital ecological and cultural landscapes. Borneo is an invitation to witness resilience, participate in humanitarian efforts, and become part of a living story that bridges tradition and modernity.

The Dayak people of Borneo embody a unique form of pre-capitalism that integrates traditional knowledge, communal values, and selective engagement with modern markets. They face industrial pressures and land conflicts, yet their resilience and innovative eco-tourism projects provide a model for sustainable and ethical development.

For travelers from Europe and America, Borneo offers more than adventure; it offers the chance to witness resilience, preserve culture, and make a real difference. 

By respecting Dayak traditions, participating in eco-tourism, and supporting indigenous initiatives, visitors help ensure that Borneo’s forests, communities, and heritage thrive for generations to come.