The Dayak Jangkang and the 'Muka' Data Ceremony: Unveiling Symbols and Myths in Pisang Village

The Dayak Jangkang in a traditional "muka' data" ceremony in Pisang Village

BORNEOTRAVEL - SANGGAU: The Dayak Jangkang, an ethnic group deeply connected to nature and a part of it, are rich in symbols and myths.

Visit this to expand your knowledge of the Dayak Jangkang Tribe. 

Suku Dayak Jangkang

From the very beginning of their lives, marked by rituals, to the end of their existence, symbols and myths permeate every aspect of their lives. 

Due to a lack of understanding, or even no awareness, of the symbols and myths that still hold significant influence among them today, it’s not easy for outsiders to interact with the community. Building a good relationship with this group is even more challenging.

Roland Barthes' Semiotics
Roland Barthes, one of the six iconic semioticians in the field, describes the relationship between the signifier, signified, and sign, which is highly relevant in the context of the Dayak Jangkang culture.

The interaction between the signifier, such as "ntoyant" (human), and the signified, like the concept of the living brain, creates a sign that holds meaning in their culture. A deeper understanding of these symbols is crucial, given the complexity of their culture and belief system, which influence their daily lives.

Signifier – The signifier is the physical or material part of a sign that can be perceived by the senses. It is the concrete representation of something that sends a message or meaning. For instance, in written language, letters are the signifiers because they are visual symbols representing sounds in language.

Signified – The signified is the concept, meaning, or idea associated with the signifier. It is our interpretation or understanding of the signifier. For example, when we see the word "cat," the signifier is the visual representation of the letters "cat," while the signified is the mental concept or image of the cat itself.

Sign – The sign is the result of the relationship between the signifier and the signified. It is the whole communicative unit consisting of the signifier and the signified. According to Barthes' semiotic theory, a sign is the product of the interaction between the signifier and the signified, which together form the complete message or meaning.

Or another example: Suppose we take the visual representation of the word "cat."

• The signifier is the letters that form the word "cat."
• The signified is the concept or mental image of the cat.
• The sign is the complete concept or meaning formed by the relationship between the word "cat" (signifier) and the concept of the cat (signified).

West Kalimantan as a Laboratory for Ethnology and Cross-Cultural Studies
Many experts observe that West Kalimantan is a rich laboratory for ethnology and cross-cultural studies. With its ethnic diversity and varying socio-economic backgrounds, West Kalimantan has often experienced ethnic conflicts since the 1950s.

The core of the ethnic conflicts in West Kalimantan is often hidden in a lack of understanding of the customs and vital symbols to the Dayak people, such as the human symbol "ntoyant," which represents the concept of the living brain.

An approach that relies solely on the law often fails to capture the essence of these issues. This is because it ignores the culture and symbols that form the foundation of the Dayak way of life. For example, blood holds significant symbolic meaning, representing life. The taboo against bloodshed is also a crucial part of their value system.

In the context of semiotics, blood functions as the signifier that indicates its signified—the concept of life and related moral principles.

By gaining a deeper understanding of these symbols, it is hoped that a more holistic and effective approach can be created for resolving conflicts and building harmonious relationships with the Dayak Jangkang community.

-- Rangkaya Bada