| |
|---|---|
| Total population | |
| 208,100 | |
| Regions with significant populations | |
 Indonesia (West Kalimantan) | 138,100[1] |
 Malaysia (Sarawak) | 70,000[2] |
| Languages | |
| Selako | |
| Religion | |
| |
| Related ethnic groups | |
Selakoa.k.a.Selakau,Salako orSilakau are the indigenous people native to the Selakau regions (Selakau district and Selakau Timur district) inSambas Regency ofWest Kalimantan, Indonesia.[3] Nowadays, the Selako diaspora can be found in the neighbouring Selakau regions as well; including the districts ofPemangkat, Paloh, Tebas, Teluk Keramat, Sejangkung (especially in Perigi Limus), Sajingan Besar inSambas Regency, the East Singkawang district (especially in Pajintan, Bagak Sahwa, Maya Sopa, and Nyarumkop) inSingkawang, the districts of Tujuh Belas and Samalantan inBengkayang Regency, and theLundu district inSarawak. Selako people are sometimes classified as part of largerDayaks community (the term used for indigenous people ofKalimantan in general), thus sometimes they are called asSelako Dayaks as well.[4][5] Their native or indigenous language is theSelako language. Like any other indigenous Dayak groups, the Selako people embraced theKaharingan religion, but many Selakos diaspora tend to have Christians (mostly adhered toWest Kalimantan Christian Church,Bornean Evangelicals, andAnglicans) and Roman Catholics faiths after the mass conversion by missionaries in the 19th century.[6]
There are at least five Selako sub-groups that are differentiated based on their particular customs:
According to William Martin Schneider, there are no significant differences between the group of Gajekng and Sangkuku', but some small difference might be noticeable.
There are two different ways on how traditional Selako foods are prepared. In Gajekng Selako, thebontokng is wrapped with thelepet amo', meanwhile the Sangkuku' Selako tend to wrap it with thekarake' way.
The traditional processions within the Salako Gajekng group should involves thepanglima (commander),pamane (expert), andpabanci (people who are famous for being good at custom, intelligent, powerful, and authoritative). Their task is to regulate and determine the types and instruments of customs as well as the conduct of traditional ritual ceremonies. Meanwhile, in Sangkuku' Selako group, the procession is carried out by the common people whose gonna act as the traditional implementers or customary actors.
Selako people are originally the inhabitants of the Nyirih riverbank, located in Selakau district of Sambas Regency. Most Selakos still predominantly lived in theirancestral home around the Nyirih River regions (especially in the districts of Selakau and Selakau Timur). However, the Garantukng Selako group acknowledged that they are actually originated from Garantung in the Maliku district inCentral Kalimantan.
TheBabuakng Sia is a form ofcircumcision within the Selako community, this practice seen (by Selako people) as both native religious rite and cultural tradition. It is an obligation for Selako males (especially during childhood and adolescence), and not obligated for women. Before the procession began, there are several things (a.k.a.offerings) that must be provided by the family, such asenyekng (pork),manok (chicken),sugar,coffee,cooking oil, and so on.
Ngabayotn is an annual ceremony held by the Selako people in year-end period. This ritual is carried out with the aim of conveying gratitude, especially for the rice harvest to the Selako community. TheNgabayotn traditional ceremony is held after the rice harvest which means that the local community will restart the agricultural year by opening new fields which are usually marked by theSam-sam ritual.Ngabayotn consists of three ritual parts; namely theNurutni',Nyangohotn,Matekng and accompanied by theNarokng dance performance.[7]
