Traditional concepts of dayaks in the longhouse of nek bindang village of west kalimantan

Abstract

The architecture of a longhouse was/is built to protect the occupants from the environmental threats. This paper examines the traditional concept of Dayak in the longhouse of Nek Bindang Village in West Kalimantan. A Longhouse was built to facilitating activities for interaction between them or with people outside the longhouse. As the answer to the needs of the natural environment, a longhouse was/is established by an appropriate structure with the composition that is appropriate to the physical and spiritual activities inside/outside the longhouse. This study conducted in a qualitative method with an observation of the research object. The construction of the longhouse was in line with the availability of materials, the locals’ capability on a method of the establishment at the time, the security factors, and the understanding of the structural system to supports the load. Indigenous thought and traditional concepts of thinking become the main factors in running customary law in the community of Dayak. The belief of nature as the basic norms to control the Dayak in Nek Bindang village to be sustained with the surrounding environment. The presence of a community leader as the key person in all aspects of activities formalizes in the design and composition of the longhouse. People of Dayak in Nek Bidang Village attached the design, the architecture, and the meaning of the longhouse as the thought of the community. The design and composition of longhouse expressed the traditional concept of the Dayak community on balance and harmony to nature.