Tiwi Etika, a Native Dayak Adherent of Kaharingan, is the 39th Dayak Professor

Prof. Tiwi Etika, Ph.D.

The image of the Dayak people has undergone a complete transformation. This ethnic group with a global population of no less than 8 million has now emerged as a recognized ethnicity in Kalimantan, its ancestral land, Indonesia, and the international stage. 

On January 15, 2024, one of its finest daughters, Tiwi Etika, has been inaugurated as a professor.

Tiwi Etika has been added to the list of Professors among the Dayak ethnic group in Indonesia. We should take pride in this remarkable achievement.

Having served for 22 years as an educator at IAHN Tampung Penyang, on Sunday, January 14, 2024, Tiwi received the Decree (SK) for Professorship presented by Bimas Hindu on behalf of the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

 The 39th Dayak Professor

On January 15, 2024, this follower of Kaharingan was inaugurated as a Professor at the State Hindu Institute -  Institut Agama Hindu Negeri  (IAHN) Tampung Penyang Palangka Raya, Central Kalimantan.

 According to the records of Masri Sareb Putra, Tiwi is the 39th Dayak professor. 

Certainly, it is not only a source of pride for the Dayak people but also a source of pride for the entire nation, as Tiwi adds value, especially through her contributions of work and thoughts, to the sustainability of the indigenous Nusantara tribe.

Tiwi Etika receives the Decree for Professorship handed over by the Directorate General of Bimas Hindu on behalf of the Minister of Religious Affairs of the Republic of Indonesia.

Acknowledgment of Tiwi's Contribution

This achievement marks Tiwi's extraordinary contribution in elevating the dignity and knowledge of Kaharingan traditions and the cultural heritage of the Dayak tribe. 

By becoming the 39th professor from the Dayak community, Tiwi Etika not only creates personal history but also sets an example for the younger generation in preserving and appreciating local cultural heritage. Her success as a professor inspires the development of knowledge and local wisdom in Indonesia.

In the national context, Tiwi's accomplishment not only reflects her academic excellence but also provides a valuable contribution to the preservation and development of cultural diversity in Indonesia. She becomes an inspiration for society to continue valuing and understanding the traditional values that are an integral part of the nation's richness.

Tiwi Etika, the fifth child of Iskandar and Ramani, completed her primary to secondary education in the Montallat District and high school in Palangka Raya. She obtained her Bachelor's (S1) and Master's (S2) degrees from the State Hindu Institute Denpasar, Bali.

Her doctoral education was pursued at Burdwan University, India (2008-2011), with a post-doctoral period at KITLV Leiden, Netherlands (2018). Tiwi also attended a short course in Hindi at Kendriya Hindi Sansthan, Agra, India (1998-1999).

Since her undergraduate days in Denpasar, Tiwi has been involved in leadership roles, serving as the Chairperson of the Student Senate for two terms (1999-2001) and Vice Chair of KNPI Bali (2000-2003).

After completing her Bachelor's degree in Bali, Tiwi returned to Central Kalimantan, becoming a civil servant at the State Hindu Institute Tampung Penyang Palangka Raya since 2001.

Her doctoral degree in Hindu Philosophy from Burdwan University guided her research focus, writing articles, and books on Kaharingan traditions, including aspects of history, theology, and philosophy.

Tiwi has been active in writing since 2001

Tiwi has been active in writing since 2001, starting with her undergraduate thesis on the Existence of Sangku Tambak Raja. Her Master's thesis explored the aspects of divinity in the Panaturan Scriptures and identification from the Hindu theology perspective.

Her research delves into the integration of Kaharingan into Hindu Dharma (2007), providing an overview of Hindu Kaharingan (2007), and co-authoring the book "Mutiara Isen Mulang" (2015) with Damianus Syiok.

In 2017, her work discussed the Concept of Divinity in Hindu Kaharingan Teachings and the Explanation of the Panca Sradha Concept in the Panaturan Scriptures, along with dozens of articles on Kaharingan traditions, particularly those of the Dayak Dusun and Dayak Ngaju.

Tiwi contributed to the International Congress I on Dayak Culture in Bengkayang. She presented a special paper titled "Native Religion of the Dayak Tribe: Challenges and Future" which was documented in the seminar proceedings book "Becoming Dayak Without Barriers."

Tiwi's Contributions at the National and International Levels

Tiwi also chaired the organizing committee for the international "Hinduism in the Millennial Era" seminar in Palangka Raya in October 2019.

In the organizational context, Tiwi has been the Vice Chair of MB-AHK Center since 2014, Vice Chair of PHDI Central Kalimantan Province since 2012, Vice Chair of Hindu Kaharingan Women of Central Kalimantan Province since 2019, and has played significant roles in various religious and intellectual Hindu organizations.

At the academic level, she has been serving as the Dean of the Faculty of Dharma Duta and Brahma Widya at IAHN Tampung Penyang Palangka Raya since 2018.

At the international level, she is a member of the International Foundation ICCS-USA (International Center for Cultural Studies United States of America).

(Rangkaya Bada)