THE EFFECT OF THE DAYAK WORLDVIEW, CUSTOMS, TRADITIONS, AND CUSTOMARY LAW (ADAT - ISTL4DAT) ON THE INTERPRETATION OF THE GOSPEL IN WEST KALIMANTAN, INDONESIAN BORNE0 by Larry Kemeth Thomson B.A., University of Calgary, 1977 M.Div., Acadia University, 1980 Submitted to the Faculty of Theology, Acadia Divinity College, in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Ministry Acadia Divinity College, Acadia University Fa11 Convocation, 2000 O by Lamy Kenneth Thomson 2000 I, Larry Kenneth Thomson, grant permission to the University Librarian at Acadia University to reproduce, loan, or distrubute copies of my thesis in microform, paper or electronic formats on a non-profit basis. I, however, retain the copyright in my thesis. Signature of Author Date Table of Contents .. Abstract .......................................................................................................................vil Dedication ........................................................................................................................ wii... Acknowledgements ............................................................................................................ix Chapter One: Introduction ..................................................................................................1 Methodology .................................................................................................................13 ... Scope and Limitations................................................................................................ 18 Chapter Two: Description of the Setting and the Ministry ...............................................23 Geographic Setting........................................................................................................ 23 Historical Background ..................................................................................................25 The Dayaks ................................................................................................................... 29 History of KGBI Cross-cultural Ministry to Dayaks in West Kalimantan ................... 40 The National Ideology and its Effect on the Ministry ..................................................42 Summary ....................................................................................................................... 46 Chapter Three: The Dayak Worldview ......................................................................... 47 Anirnism and Adat ........................................................................................................ 47 Unity of the Natural and Supernaturd .......................................................................... 52 Ceremonies and Rinials- examples .......................................................................... 82 Balalak- Closed village ............................................................................................. 85 Farming ..................................................................................................................... 87 The Harvest Festival ................................................................................................. 91 Passages .................................................................................................................... 93 Crises....................................................................................................................... 102 War and violent confiict.......................................................................................... 102 Sickness................................................................................................................... 105 Prophylactic dety precautions .............................................................................. 108 Taboos ..................................................................................................................... 111 Penonal power. occult. manipulation ..................................................................... 112 Modem Issues: Pressure on the Worldview............................................................ 114 Chapter Four: Areas of Confîict ..................................................................................... 122 The Name of God ........................................................................................................ 124 Balalak ........................................................................................................................ 126 Farming .......................................................................................................................132 Naik Dango ........................................................................................................139 Gawai ......................................................................................................................140 Passages ......................................................................................................................142 Marriage .................................................................................................................. 143 Death and Funerals ................................................................................................. 149 Crises........................................................................................................................... 153 War and Violent ConBict ........................................................................................ 153 Sickness................................................................................................................... 156 Ritual Prophylactic safety precautions....................................................................... 159 Karnpunan ............................................................................................................... 159 Fetishes ................................................................................................................... 160 Ciistoms and Culture ................................................................................................... 162 Music....................................................................................................................... 162 Dancing ................................................................................................................... 163 Arts and Crafts ........................................................................................................ 164 Betel Nut ................................................................................................................. 164 Goods considered cornmon property ...................................................................... 165 Prayer .......................................................................................................................... 167 Resolving Conflicts ..................................................................................................... 168 Chapter Five: Conclusion ............................................................................................... 173 Appendix A: Questionnaire ............................................................................................ 191 Appendix B: Map of KGBI Ministry Area ..................................................................... 193 West Kalimantan..................................................................................................... 193 Appendix C: Adat-istiadat and Christianity (English)............................................... 194 The Issue: Conversions to Christianity that do not endure crises. and the persisteoce of traditional beliefs dong with Christianity................................................................... 196 Goal of traditional beliefs ........................................................................................... 197 Goal of Christianity..................................................................................................... 199 Farming ....................................................................................................................... 201 Regulation of Community life ...................................................................................201 Social Life .................................................................................................................. 202 Passages ...................................................................................................................... 203 . Healing fiom disease or injury .................................................................................. 204 Personal Power and Invincibility ............................................................................. 205 Inviting people to become Christians ..................................................................... 205 Appendix D: Adat-istiadat and Christianity (Indonesian) ............................................. 207 Tuj uan-tuj uan Kepercayaan Lama ..........................................................................211 Tujuan Agama Kristen ........................................................................................... 213 Pertanian ................................................................................................................. 214 Pengaturan Kenikunan Desa ...................................................................................215 Rarnah-taniah .........................................................................................................