The Rise of Dayak Island: Responding to Challenges and the Post-Truth Reality

Dayak people must have at least 4 children per family, stop limiting family size. Photo credit: AMk.

The proud name that once echoed the identity and culture of an entire community has been relegated to the past. This is a troubling reality, as the island, which has been the ancestral land of the Dayak people for centuries, should remain central to our collective identity. It is a place where our culture, language, and traditions have flourished for millennia. 

Distorted Dayak identity threatens cultural survival

Yet today, we face the unfortunate situation where many infographics intentionally depict the Dayak people as a minority in our own homeland. This is not only a distortion of the truth but a subtle yet dangerous attempt to undermine the significance of our presence in the land we have inhabited for generations.

These infographics and data-driven narratives, though widely circulated, are often misleading and rely on unscientific methods. 

The data used is not gathered with proper rigor, but instead is based on guesswork and assumptions, without regard for the true demographics of our communities. This is the essence of what has come to be known as "post-truth" — an era where facts no longer matter, and subjective opinions and half-truths are used to construct a narrative that serves particular interests. 

The result is a distorted image of the Dayak people, one that not only marginalizes our presence but also threatens the very foundation of our cultural survival.

This phenomenon of post-truth affects how our younger generations perceive their role and future on the island. If this narrative is allowed to persist, we risk losing not only our identity but also the opportunity to shape our own destiny in the land that rightfully belongs to us. 

The real danger

The real danger lies in the gradual erosion of Dayak population, and ultimately, the threat of extinction. If each Dayak family only has two children, as is increasingly common due to the influence of outside population control programs, their numbers will dwindle over time.

With each passing generation, they will become fewer, eventually losing their voice and presence on the island. In the long term, the Dayak community could be overrun by migrants and settlers, leaving their culture and heritage vulnerable to being forgotten or even wiped out entirely.

To counter this alarming trend, decisive action must be taken now. It is critical that every Dayak family has at least 4 to 6 children. By increasing their population, they are not only preserving their cultural heritage but also strengthening their ability to maintain their rightful claim to their ancestral land. This is not merely a matter of reproduction, but an essential step in ensuring the survival and flourishing of their culture, language, and way of life.

A small family, with only one or two children, cannot keep pace with the demands of a growing society or defend the land against outside forces. But a larger, thriving community can.

Dayak unity, resist external population control

Furthermore, we cannot afford to let external programs, such as the Family Planning (Keluarga Berencana - KB) initiative, be applied to our communities without considering the unique needs of the Dayak people. While Family Planning may be appropriate in regions with high population density like Java, it is entirely unsuitable for the Dayak population. 

The circumstances of the Dayak people are different, and imposing such programs will only weaken our community and exacerbate the challenges we already face. The application of Family Planning to Dayak families is not only irrelevant but could ultimately result in the decline of our population.

This is why the Dayak community must unite and act with a sense of urgency and purpose. We need to foster solidarity within our families and communities, ensuring that we prioritize the growth and preservation of our population. 

If we do not act now, we risk being outnumbered and overshadowed by others who do not share our deep connection to the land and its traditions. Our survival depends on our ability to take control of our future, which includes encouraging larger families and resisting policies that undermine our demographic growth.

By ensuring that every Dayak family has at least 4 to 6 children, we lay the foundation for a stronger, more resilient community. It is essential that we preserve our population, culture, and heritage, not only for the present but for the generations to come. The Dayak people are not a minority to be overlooked in their own homeland; we are the rightful stewards of this land.

Dayak Island, rich in culture and tradition, must never be forgotten or sidelined. The Dayak people are the descendants of those who fought to protect it, and it is now their responsibility to safeguard it for future generations. The time has come for them to rise, take action, and reaffirm their identity.

The Dayak people must stand together, ensuring that our culture, language, and way of life are preserved, and that our rightful claim to our ancestral land remains secure for generations to come. 

Only through unity, foresight, and action will we ensure the survival and thriving of our beloved Dayak community.

-- Apai Deraman