Dayak people
The Dayak (/ˈdaɪ.ək/ ⓘ; older spelling: Dajak) or Dyak or Dayuh are one of the native groups of Borneo. It is a loose term for over 200 riverine and hill-dwelling ethnic groups, located principally in the central and southern interior of Borneo, each with its own dialect, customs, laws, territory, and culture, although common distinguishing traits are readily identifiable. The Dayak were animist (Kaharingan and Folk Hindus) in belief; however, since the 19th century there has been mass conversion to Christianity as well as Islam due to the spreading of Abrahamic religions.
Dayak Dyak | |
|---|---|
Dayak chief as seen holding a spear and a Klebit Bok shield. | |
| Total population | |
| c. 8.18 million | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
| Borneo: | |
| Indonesia | c. 4,589,938 |
| Malaysia | c. 3,597,644 |
| Languages | |
| Indigenous Greater North Borneo (Malayic, Land Dayak, Kayan-Murik, Central Sarawak, North Sarawak, Sabahan ) • Barito • Tamanic Other English • Malaysian • Indonesian • Varieties of Malay | |
| Religion | |
| Predominantly Christianity (Protestantism, Catholic) (62.7%) Islam (Sunni) (31.6%) Minorities Kaharingan/Hinduism (4.8%) and Others (i.e. Animism) (0.9%) | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Austronesian peoples Banjarese • Malays • Sama-Bajau • Rejang • Malagasy, etc. | |
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