Dayak Writing from Within

Dayak Literacy symbols: Batu Yupa and the Batu Ruyud inscription Writing Camp. Source: Literasi Dayak.

In the Literasi Dayak (Dayak Literacy) WhatsApp group with over 200 members, including intellectuals and at least 5 Dayak professors, various interesting and strategic topics are discussed. One of the hot topics today is the necessity of "Dayak Writing from Within". 

This call was first voiced by the senior writer and literary figure Masri Sareb Putra. However, all members of the Dayak Literacy WhatsApp group agree with and support this idea.

Dayak writing from "within"

This encompasses the active engagement of the Dayak in researching, documenting, and publishing aspects of their own lives. 

The Dayak are not merely subjects of external study, but active participants in summarizing and sharing knowledge about their history, traditions, arts, and values with the world. This understanding goes beyond surface observations. 

Writing from a deep perspective means understanding the intricate cultural backgrounds, upheld values, belief systems, and social relationships that shape the Dayak collective identity. It encourages writers to engage emotionally and intellectually, translating experiences and perspectives into authentic and meaningful written works.

Writing from within = gnothi seauton!

This concept illustrates the importance of introspection and self-understanding in the context of the Dayak. "Gnothi seauton" emphasizes that to understand others well, we must first understand ourselves. 

In this context, writing from within means delving into the depths of Dayak culture not just as an external observer, but as part of an ongoing process of self-discovery.

This highlights the ultimate goal of "writing from within" — achieving a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of Dayak life and culture. It involves careful reading of their history, attentive listening to their stories, and writing with respect and meticulousness. It also entails the responsibility to avoid shallow stereotypes and generalizations, but instead respond with sensitivity to the diversity and complexity within Dayak society.

Thus, "writing from within" becomes a call to unearth and convey deeper meanings about the Dayak, reflecting nuances of everyday life, spirituality, and their struggles in facing the challenges of modern times.

-- Rangkaya Bada