Page "Dayak people" Paragraph 13

The Dayak indigenous religion has been given the name Kaharingan, and may be said to be a form of animism.

For official purposes, it is categorized as a form of Hinduism in Indonesia.

Nevertheless, these generalizations fail to convey the distinctiveness, meaningfulness, richness and depth of Dayak religion, myth and teachings.

Underlying the world-view is an account of the creation and re-creation of this middle-earth where the Dayak dwell, arising out of a cosmic battle in the beginning of time between a primal couple, a male and female bird / dragon ( serpent ).

Representations of this primal couple are amongst the most pervasivel motifs of Dayak art.

The primal mythic conflict ended in a mutual, procreative murder, from the body parts of which the present universe arose stage by stage.

This primal sacrificial creation of the universe in all its levels is the paradigm for, and is re-experienced and ultimately harmoniously brought together ( according to Dayak beliefs ) in the seasons of the year, the interdependence of river ( up-stream and down-stream ) and land, the tilling of the earth and fall of the rain, the union of male and female, the distinctions between and cooperation of social classes, the wars and trade with foreigners, indeed in all aspects of life, even including tattoos on the body, the lay-out of dwellings and the annual cycle of renewal ceremonies, funeral rites, etc.

The practice of Kaharingan differs from group to group, but shamans, specialists in ecstatic flight to other spheres, are central to Dayak religion, and serve to bring together the various realms of Heaven ( Upper-world ) and earth, and even Under-world, for example healing the sick by retrieving their souls which are journeying on their way to the Upper-world land of the dead, accompanying and protecting the soul of a dead person on the way to their proper place in the Upper-world, presiding over annual renewal and agricultural regeneration festivals, etc.

Death rituals are most elaborate when a noble ( kamang ) dies.

On particular religious occasions, the spirit is believed to descend to partake in celebration, a mark of honour and respect to past ancestors and blessings for a prosperous future.