Dayak Literacy Trail From Yupa Stone to Batu Ruyud

 

The replica of the Yupa Stone at the Mulawarman Museum. Photo credit: the author.

BORNEOTRAVEL - SAMARINDA: If you ever find yourself on a business trip or vacation in East Kalimantan, be sure to stop by Tenggarong. 

At the Mulawarman Museum, you’ll immerse yourself in the history of the archipelago, dating back to the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD. 

Here, history meets the civilization of Borneo's native ethnic groups, preserved in an inscription on a Yupa stone. This tablet, discovered in Muara Kaman (now part of East Kalimantan), has a replica displayed at the Mulawarman Museum.

Yupa Stone: Ancient literacy and civilization

The replica of the Yupa Stone at the Mulawarman Museum stands as a testament to the ancient roots of literacy in Kalimantan. The Yupa Stone inscription, dating back to the late 4th and early 5th centuries AD, reveals the early use of writing in the region. 

Literacy and the culture of reading and writing have deep roots in Kalimantan, dating back to the time when indigenous communities began recording their history and beliefs. 

This inscription, written in Pallava script and Sanskrit, showcases the sophisticated knowledge of the local population. It highlights how writing was not just a tool for communication, but an integral part of the region's cultural and religious identity.

At the close of the 4th century AD, literacy and the use of writing were already known in the region, as evidenced by the Yupa stone inscription.

Yupa Stone Inscription: A Historical Witness to Literacy The Yupa stone inscription serves as a historical witness to the existence of literacy during that period.

The use of Pallava script and Sanskrit in the inscription indicates the level of understanding the people of Kalimantan had of the complex writing system and classical language.

Various texts found in the region suggest that the influence of Hinduism began to spread to Borneo by the end of the 4th century AD.

However, the Yupa inscription also reveals that during this time, Borneo was still considered "native" and had not yet been influenced by Hinduism from India. This inscription plays a crucial role in unveiling the early stages of religious and cultural development in the region.

With the Yupa stone inscription as historical evidence, Borneo is proven to be one of the oldest centers of civilization in the archipelago. As Marcus Tullius Cicero said, "Historia vero testis temporum" (history is the witness of the times), and this inscription stands as a testament to the early civilization of Kalimantan.

Borneo's literacy, heritage, and cultural significance

Highlighting the Importance of Borneo This fact underscores Borneo’s significant role in the broader history and civilization of the archipelago.

This information shows that literacy is not something new to Kalimantan. On the contrary, literacy has been known and even flourished among the local population since ancient times.

The Yupa stone inscription is a concrete example of how the people of Kalimantan at that time possessed knowledge of a complex writing system and language.

The seven Yupa inscriptions were discovered in the Muara Kaman district, at different times—four inscriptions were discovered in 1879, while three others were found in the 1940s.

These discoveries highlight the importance of archaeological exploration and research in uncovering the history and culture of a region.

The development of literacy among the Dayak people has not overlooked their heritage but instead has built a stronger foundation to face global challenges and the information revolution. The Yupa stone inscription was written in Pallava script and uses Sanskrit.

Through paleographic analysis, it is clear that the script used in the inscription bears similarities to the Wenggi script from Kalingga and the Cera script from Merkara, regions in southern India. This suggests cultural influences and interactions between Kalimantan and southern India.

In general, this information offers a valuable insight into the history, literacy, and culture of Kalimantan in ancient times. The Yupa stone inscription stands as a silent witness to the advancement of literacy and the cultural influences that shaped Kalimantan’s civilization at the time.

Kalimantan's Literacy in the Digital Era "The dazzling rise of technology and the digital age sweeping the world today cannot erase the deep roots of traditions and cultures that have shaped the history of societies."

Amid the whirlwind of innovation, literacy among the indigenous people of Kalimantan, especially the Dayak, stands as a clear example of how the legacy of literacy from the past remains relevant and even thrives in the modern era.

With the roar of technological progress and the internet, it may seem plausible to think that the culture of literacy growing among the Dayak people is a recent development. However, the truth is much deeper and more fascinating.

It turns out that the seeds of literacy were planted in the soil of Kalimantan long before the digital age took over the flow of information. The Yupa stone inscription, a historical relic dating back to the late 4th century AD, is a silent testament to literacy practices in ancient times.

The inscription on the Yupa stone, written in Pallava script and using Sanskrit, is concrete evidence of how the Dayak people recognized the power and significance of writing long before the digital wave arrived.

Dayak literacy: tradition, innovation, cultural identity

The well-preserved Dayak literacy is not merely a relic of the past, as if frozen in time. The spirit of the Literary Oath in Batu Ruyud proves that literacy is not only "inherited" from the past, but continues to be empowered and promoted in a more contemporary form.

Initiatives led by figures like Dr. Yansen TP and his colleagues show a strong commitment to ensuring that the legacy of literacy is carried forward with pride and remains a core part of the evolving Dayak identity.

The Dayak Literacy Agenda In an increasingly clearer vision, the literacy agenda among the Dayak people is being solidified through plans for the First International Dayak Literacy Congress.

The grand event, scheduled for the end of 2023 in the Pulau Sapi Tourism Village in Malinau District, will showcase that literacy is not just a skill, but a core element of cultural sustainability and the identity of the Dayak people. A population estimated at around 8 million people, scattered across the globe, makes literacy the thread that ties the past, present, and future in an inseparable bond.

In this digital era, the fusion of tradition and innovation is key. The development of literacy among the Dayak people does not forget the heritage of the past but builds a stronger foundation to face global challenges and the information revolution.

At its core, literacy is not just about reading and writing but about understanding, appreciating, and applying the values inherent in the culture.

The Dayak people are not only the guardians of tradition but also the agents of change, bridging the past and the future.
(Sutha Manggala)