Dayaks

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Members of an indigenous ethnic group native to the island of Borneo, traditionally known for their distinctive longhouses and strong cultural heritage; the group includes various tribes with diverse languages and customs; often associated with a deep connection to the rainforest environment
2. Indigenous peoples inhabiting the interior regions of Borneo, recognized for their historic tribal societies and unique social structures; consisting of multiple distinct communities with their own dialects and traditions; commonly linked to practices of swidden agriculture and river-based livelihoods
3. A collective term for several indigenous tribal groups from Borneo known for their rich folklore and artisanal crafts; comprising numerous distinct subgroups each with individual cultural identities; typically noted for their traditional dwellings and close ties to forest ecosystems

Etymology: "Dayaks" is the plural of "Dayak," the name used for the many indigenous peoples of Borneo, the large island shared today by Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei. The singular form is the one that carries the word's history: the term is an exonym, a name outsiders applied to a diverse set of groups who did not share a single common identity. Speakers of distinct languages, from the interior highlands to the coastal rivers, were gathered under one label by traders, colonial administrators and European writers, so the plural simply counts the members of that umbrella category. Many of the groups themselves have long preferred more specific names, such as Iban, Kayan or Ngaju, and the broader term is used mainly as a convenient collective.

Synonyms: Dayak people, indigenous Borneo people