Reviving Dayak Pedagogies: Indigenous Knowledge and Education in the Heart of Borneo

Abstract

The Dayak people, indigenous to the island of Borneo, have a long tradition of passing down knowledge through oral teachings, rituals, and hands-on practices that connect them to the forest, agriculture, and community life. This paper explores how Dayak pedagogies—centering on experiential learning, environmental knowledge, and community involvement—can be integrated into modern educational frameworks in Indonesia. Focusing on Dayak communities in Central Kalimantan, this study highlights traditional methods of teaching, such as forest-based learning, which emphasize sustainability, respect for nature, and intergenerational knowledge transfer. The paper discusses the challenges of preserving these practices in a rapidly modernizing world where the formal education system often marginalizes local knowledge. It also suggests pathways for integrating Dayak knowledge into school curricula, creating a more inclusive and culturally relevant education system. The contribution of this paper is significant as it sheds light on how indigenous pedagogies not only preserve culture but also offer sustainable solutions for contemporary environmental and educational challenges in Indonesia.