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| A snapshot of the seminar "The Meeting of Campus Intellectuals and Village Intellectuals" at ITKK campus. Documentation: Rmsp. |
SEKADAU - The Dayak Research Center (DRC) : On August 4-5, 2024, in Sekadau, West Kalimantan, a significant event took place alongside the Inauguration of the New Campus of the Keling Kumang Institute of Technology: a Study Day titled "Bertemunya Intelektual Kampus dan Intelektual Kampung - The Convergence of Campus Intellectuals and Village Intellectuals."
This milestone event was designed to transform the tacit knowledge of the Dayak community into explicit knowledge in the form of recordings, videos, transcripts, journals, books, and other mediums. With great enthusiasm, experts from various backgrounds engaged in discussions, exchanged ideas, and formulated new insights beneficial for both communities and academia.
This Study Day featured a unique collaboration, spotlighting village intellectuals such as Dius Tadius, Aneng, Heti Koes Endang, and Apai Janggut. These individuals presented invaluable local knowledge: Dius Tadius on traditional medicinal plants, Aneng on customary practices, Heti Koes Endang on Dayak tattoos and woven fabrics, and Apai Janggut on his experiences as an environmental activist and practitioner from Sungai Utik. Apai Janggut delivered a profound presentation, highlighting his international recognition through awards such as the Kalpataru, Equator Prize, and Gulbenkian Prize.
These presentations were met with thoughtful responses from academic intellectuals, who enriched the discussions with theoretical frameworks, exemplifying the resilience of indigenous communities in academic spaces.
Transforming Local Knowledge
One of the primary objectives of the Study Day was to convert the tacit knowledge of the Dayak community into explicit knowledge that is accessible and widely applicable. This transformation not only documents traditional knowledge but also ensures its relevance in the context of modern academia. For instance, the presentation by Dius Tadius on traditional medicinal plants shed light on their potential applications in health and pharmaceutical fields, bridging indigenous wisdom with scientific innovation. Through meticulous documentation, the Dayak community preserves its cultural heritage while simultaneously enriching global science with unique and often overlooked perspectives.
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The lively atmosphere of the Study Day and the enthusiasm from the floor. Documentation: Rmsp. |
The significance of this effort lies in its dual impact: safeguarding cultural identity and contributing to academic progress. By converting orally transmitted knowledge into formats like journals and recordings, the Dayak people ensure that their traditions endure through time and remain a vital resource for researchers. This process exemplifies the role indigenous knowledge can play in addressing contemporary global challenges, from healthcare to sustainable practices.
The Study Day underscored the importance of collaboration between campus and village intellectuals. During the discussions, academic intellectuals provided theoretical frameworks to support the presentations of village intellectuals, such as contextualizing the use of traditional medicinal plants in modern pharmaceutical research or how Dayak customary practices can serve as models in anthropological studies. This interaction created a mutually beneficial symbiosis where local knowledge gained academic legitimacy and academics gained authentic new perspectives.
Dayak as Knowledge Producers
Events like the Study Day reflect a significant shift in the research paradigm concerning indigenous communities. The Dayak are no longer merely objects of research; they are now also producers of knowledge. For instance, Heti Koes Endang revealed the symbolic meanings behind Dayak tattoos and woven fabrics, opening opportunities for research into art and cultural identity. Apai Janggut, with his experiences in preserving the Sungai Utik customary forest, provided practical insights on environmental conservation that can serve as references in ecological studies. Thus, the Dayak community increasingly demonstrates their integral role in global academic dialogues.
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Despite significant progress, Dayak academics still face various challenges, including institutional biases and limited access to resources. Initiatives like the Study Day create opportunities to overcome these barriers by establishing spaces where local knowledge is valued and developed.
Additionally, institutions such as the Keling Kumang Institute of Technology play a strategic role in supporting local academics to become active players on national and international academic stages.
Recommendations for Sustainability
To ensure the sustainability of these efforts, regular programs integrating local knowledge into academic curricula are necessary. Furthermore, ongoing documentation through books, journals, and digital media is essential to ensure that this knowledge remains accessible to future generations. Study Days like this can also serve as models for other indigenous communities to strengthen their positions in academic spaces.
The Study Day "The Convergence of Campus Intellectuals and Village Intellectuals" in Sekadau marks a significant milestone in the intellectual journey of the Dayak community. This event demonstrated how collaboration between campus and village intellectuals could create inclusive and empowering academic spaces.
By making local knowledge a part of global academic dialogue, the Dayak community not only preserves their cultural heritage but also makes significant contributions to science. This momentum is a step forward toward full recognition of the resilience of indigenous communities in modern academic spaces.
-- Masri Sareb Putra
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