Territorial Form Transformation of the Dayak Kancik’ng Traditional House: A Behavioral Perspective

Abstract

The Dayak Kancik’ng traditional house in Leminang Hamlet, West Kalimantan, is one of the traditional houses that has endured despite the pressures of modernization, although its form has undergone transformations from its historical configuration. According to accounts from traditional elders, the Betang house was formerly highly enclosed by wooden walls; today, however, more areas are open, allowing people to enter the traditional house more freely. This transformation has been associated with changes in the indigenous community’s perception of outsiders, which in turn have influenced community behavior and the form of the traditional house. The behavioral changes referred to here include the abandonment of intertribal warfare and the ngayau tradition, which were practiced more frequently in the past but are no longer practiced today. Ngayau, a practice involving the taking of an enemy’s head, is no longer practiced among the Dayak Kancik’ng community because outsiders are no longer perceived as enemies but rather as friends. The abandonment of warfare and ngayau has been influenced by the spread of religion, which introduced knowledge, promoted values of compassion, and contributed to economic and technological development. Consequently, outsiders came to be perceived not as enemies but as companions who could contribute to the well-being and advancement of the indigenous community. Changes in the community’s perception of outsiders subsequently influenced community behavior and the territorial form of the traditional house. This study aims to examine how the territorial form of the traditional house has changed as a consequence of changes in the community’s behavior and perceptions toward the presence of outsiders within the community.