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Panglima Burung Dayak (Dayak Bird Commander)

In Dayak society, it believes that there is some kind of exalted, sacred, and knightly creature among them. It was told that he inhabit the mountain inland the thick forest of Borneo, bridging between world and magical realm. Is the Dayak bird commander or called “Pangkalima” by inland dayak people. He is the spiritual leader and war commander of dayak society.

There is many version of story about “who is the highest commander in dayak society ?, or what is dayak bird commander ?”. particularly after the tragedy of Sampit and Sambas. Some people says, he live near the border between western borneo and central borneo since hundreds years ago. While other people says, dayak bird commander is magical creatures who can turn himself into male or female form depends on the situations. Other story said, Dayak bird commander was the dayak fallen chieftain, although he was died but his spirit still communicate through dayak ritual. There also story that said, dayak bird commander is manifestation of a hornbill (hornbill is sacred and holy bird in dayak society).

Be sides the stories above, there is also many peoples claim himself as dayak bird commander from many regions in Borneo, such as Tarakan, Sampit, Pontianak etc.. but all of them have still not authentic proofs to proven themselves as real Dayak bird commander.

But I think there is one version of story appropriate to describe “what or who is the dayak bird commander?”. Dayak bird commander is symbolized the common Dayak people from his attitude, characteristics, and everything about him.

So, how is the appearance of dayak bird commander? And how he could symbolized Dayak people?

Be sides having the supernatural powers and invulnerability, Dayak bird commander is calm, peace-loving person as well as the Dayak people’s characteristics who is friendly and full of patience, even the dayak known as mousy people. And that reality on the field deny all of the stereotype concerning the cruel and savage dayak people. In social life, dayak people known as mousy and humble people, they accept and welcome the foreigner and keep their ancestral religion, tradition, as well as rituals. Even inland dayak people don’t care with money values. Foreigner can easily bartering their goods like coffee, salt, or cigarette.

Like the quietly, patience dayak bird commander occupying the inland borneo forest, dayak people also giving their way to the foreign miner and lumberjack when they enter dayak land. Although the dayak tenaciously keeping their ancestral religion, but they never had any conflict when one or more dayak people change their religion to the religions bring by foreigners.

Although honored as high chieftain, dayak bird commander is not life in palace or other special place. He dwelled deep in the forest or cave and be one with nature. He also very seldom to show himself to public. As well as dayak people who don’t like show off their power. Dayak people never carrying their weapons when enter the city. Their weapon usually used only for hunting and their Mandau (dayak blade) never leaves its sheath.

So, where is the famous ferocious dayak which always be topic in Borneo ?

There is one cause that make the dayak bird commander will leave his realm. He is indeed a very patience person, but when he finally losing his patience he will change from the kind and quiet person to the furious warrior. Its also reflecting the peace-loving dayak people that change into savage warrior when their patience is no longer with them. If this happen The furious bird commander will then gather his army. In western Borneo, this ritual called “Mangkuk-merah” or “red-bowl” in English. This ritual is for gathering all dayak warriors from every corners of Borneo. War dance cheering the night, their Mandau are ready to kill. These once peace-loving people is now become terrifying. Smile on their face is now change with vicious stare and fury expression like being hypnotize. 

They ready to war, to beheading, to carrying their enemy heads. This is what happened in Sampit city several years ago when decapitation happened in every corner of the city.

Although the dayak bird commander is now in fury, but he and his warriors still hold on to their rules. They not spoiled the religious buildings (mosques, churchs, temples.. etc). and they not killing people inside that religious buildings because in dayak society, violence is the last option when they losing their patience or the amicable settlement is not working. In their one’s heart of hearts, Killing and beheading is wrong. But they forced to choose the last option to keep their society survived.

Dayak people always identical with mythical powers, the ferocious stereotype of dayak people still adhering since the tragedy. Because violence that whatever it’s motives and background is still intolerated. real or not the rumors spread, but to me the dayak bird commander is person which can symbolized the dayak people.

Amun ikam kada maulah sual awan ulun, ulun gen kada handak jua bahual lawan pian malah ulun maangkat dingsanak awan pian,

That’s the Borneo people say to describe the attitude and characteristics of dayak people.