 |
| The History of Dayak: A definitive and foundational volume that serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding Borneo and the Dayak in their full complexity, across multiple dimensions. Exceptional. |
The island of Borneo, known today as Kalimantan in the Indonesian context, holds layered histories embedded in its many names.
The name “Borneo” is often believed to derive from the Sanskrit word Váruna, the god of water and the ocean in Hindu mythology, reflecting the island’s maritime character and heavy rainfall.
Ancient Chinese records from 977 CE already mention similar names, showing early contact with outside civilizations. Earlier still, Javanese sources called it Puradvipa, “Island of Diamonds,” pointing to its rich natural resources.
The influence of ancient India is evident in the epithets attached to Borneo. Indian traders referred to the region as Suvarnabhumi or Karpuradvipa, terms more often linked to Sumatra but sometimes extended to Borneo through shared trade routes.
Javanese traditions retained Puradvipa, highlighting mineral wealth. These names expressed how outsiders viewed the island as a land of valuable resources. Similar patterns appear across the archipelago, such as Jawadwipa for Java and Suwarnadwipa for Sumatra.
Tanjungpura later emerged as a more specific name in regional history. In the 14th-century Negarakertagama by Mpu Prapanca, the term “Bakulapura” appears, likely referring to Borneo.
The Pararaton also connects Tanjungpura with the island, especially within the Majapahit sphere of influence. The Kingdom of Tanjungpura in western Borneo strengthened this link, and Gajah Mada’s Sumpah Palapa included it as a target of unification.
The name persisted into the colonial era, when European powers such as the Portuguese and Dutch adopted “Borneo” from local variations. This continuity shows how external and local perceptions intertwined over centuries.
Names were not merely labels but reflections of geography, trade, and power. Through them, Borneo appears not just as an island, but as a crossroads of civilizations.
| (More to come) | Readers who wish to obtain a copy of this book may contact: anyarmart.com or WA +62 812-8774-378 |
