 A Kendayan dancer in traditional attire performs at a church dedication service inLandak Regency,West Kalimantan,Indonesia. | |
| Total population | |
|---|---|
| 366,000[1] | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Indonesia (West Kalimantan) | |
| Languages | |
| Kendayan language,Indonesian | |
| Religion | |
| Folk religion (predominantly),Christianity,Islam | |
| Related ethnic groups | |
| Bidayuh (Selako people) |
TheKendayan (also known asDayak Kenyan orKanayatn) are an Indonesian ethnic group native toWest Kalimantan,Indonesia inBorneo. The population of the group is around 366,000.
Kanayatn languages has a high dialectal variety, it encompass the Brahe, Badame, Jare, and Bang App dialects. Socio-linguistically, it is very difficult to specify the language repertoire because it is used with various dialects and patois pronunciation. However, these languages are all considered a part of theMalayic language family which also includes Indonesia's official language,Bahasa Indonesia.
The increased adoption of Indonesian words by the Kanayatn has drastically changed Dayak Kanayatn dialects for modern speakers. With many speakers of traditional dialects in the older generations, this change has resulted in communication problems between generations.
The Tangkitn is a unique weapon to the Kanayatn people and was used as their primaryhead-hunting weapon in the past.[2] In theSalako language, the Tangkitn is also referred to as theParang Pandat. The Kanayatn tribe employed shields to deflect attacks from swords. According to the Kanayatn people inMempawah (Compaq-mem pa wah Hulu-mental-too-Sada Niang), there are two types of shields in Kanayatn culture: Gun amp and Jabakng. However, according to Kanayatn members inLandak (including sea Ambawang and Kuala Mandor), there is just one type of shield, namely Gun amp.
The original religion of the Kanayatn people is not theKaharingan as it is with theDayak people. Kanayatn Dayak's indigenous religion is inseparable from their customs (Adat). It can even be said their customs assert their religious identity. In daily practice, Kanayatn Dayak people never mention religion as their normative, but Adat (custom). This religious system is not aHinduKaharingan system.
Kanayatn people refer to God as Juba.[3] Juba is said to have passed down indigenous customs to the ancestors of Dayak Kanayatn located in Bukit Ba wang (now entering the districtBengkayang). In expressing belief in Jubata, they have a place of worship called "panyugu" or "padagi" (kadiaman).[4] It is also important for thepanyangahatn priest to become a liaison between man and God (Jubata).[5]
Today, many Dayak Kanayatn have embraced other religions, includingChristianity andIslam. Kenanyatn people who have embraced another religion may no longer consider themselves as Dayak Kanayatn once they have abandoned their customary practices. Similarly, Kanayatn people who have embracedIslam will no longer regard themselves as Dayak, but asMalay people orOrang laut.
The Kanayatn were grouped into the category clump Land Dayak-Kalimantan by H. J. Mallinckrodt; but according to C. H. Duman, they are part of the KanayatnDayak Ot Danum Clump-Maanyan-Ngaju. However, research completed by W. Stohr conflicts with C. H. Duman's theory. Stohr's research suggests that when considering aspects of the region, language and customary law, the Dayak Kanayatn group appears to be more closely associated with theLand Dayak-Kalimantan group than theOt-Danum-Maanyan-Ngaju group. Landmark District names have been based on the majority Dayak community Kanayatn which is part of the clumpLand Dayak (or Land Djak in Dutch spelling). Kanayatn andSalako are, in fact, one tribe andSalako people assume that "Kanayatn" is not the real name of this tribe.