Perspectives and Life Attitudes of the Daya Tribe by Vedastus Ricky

The front cover of this book. Documented by the author.

The Dayak Research Center (DRC): SEKADAU  In the 1980s, scientific and literary publications written by the Dayak people themselves were scarce. The number of works representing the "Dayak from within" perspective could be counted on one hand, with a few notable figures such as Tjilik Riwut, Fridolin Ukur, and Korrie Layun Rampan primarily contributing to the literary field. 

Within this context of rarity, Vedastus Ricky emerged as a significant writer, making an important contribution to ethnographic studies and the philosophy of life among the Dayak people.

Pandangan dan Sikap Hidup Suku Daya -- Perspectives and Life Attitudes of the Daya Tribe was originally Vedastus Ricky's undergraduate thesis at the Surya Agung Bumi School of Philosophy in Bandung. 

Recognizing its academic value and insightful content, Dr. Riberu—then Director of Documentation and Information (Dokpen) at the Supreme Council of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (Majelis Agung Waligereja Indonesia - MAWI) in 1980—decided to publish it as a book. 

The work was released as part of the Spektrum series (Issue No. 2, Year X, 1980), with a striking title that notably spelled "Daya" without the letter "k," adding a unique nuance to the representation of the tribe's identity.

As an in-depth study of the worldview and life attitudes of the Dayak people, this book serves as an essential document in understanding the values, norms, and philosophical foundations that shape their social and spiritual lives. By adopting a perspective from within the community, it offers a more authentic viewpoint compared to previous studies written primarily by outside researchers.

MAWI’s publication of this book marked a significant step in documenting and disseminating knowledge about Dayak culture from the perspective of its own people. In the intellectual landscape of the 1980s, this book stood as a milestone, paving the way for more Dayak writers and scholars to actively participate in documenting their heritage.

There is no such thing as a bad book

There is no such thing as a bad book—only books that are incomplete. Despite its limitations, this book was one of the best of its time, even though it focuses primarily on the "past," exploring Dayak myths, nature, and culture. The book leans more toward cultural and belief aspects rather than historical or socio-political dimensions, raising some critical questions:

1. Does it offer a broader discussion of Dayak history? There is no dedicated chapter addressing migration history, socio-economic relations, or the Dayak people's role in a wider context, such as their interactions with external communities.

2. Why is the economic aspect only briefly mentioned? Livelihoods are discussed in Chapter I, but there is no follow-up analysis on how the Dayak people adapt to the modern economy or how their traditional economic systems function.

The contents of this book. Documented by the author.

Thus, Pandangan dan Sikap Hidup Suku Daya is not only of high academic value but also plays a crucial role in enriching literature on the Dayak people and amplifying their voices in the realm of scholarly research and publication.

-- Masri Sareb Putra