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Paper Overview
This paper examines how the meaning of sustainability has evolved among the Dayak Kenyah, an Indigenous community in Indonesian Borneo, through the lens of ecological, economic, and cultural change. Based on fieldwork conducted in Pampang Cultural Village and Sungai Bawang Cultural Village, the paper explores how the community has navigated the transition from a forest-based way of life toward greater engagement with modern economic and social systems. Rather than viewing sustainability as the preservation of a culture unchanged over time, this paper argues that sustainability is a dynamic process shaped by changing priorities, opportunities, and challenges.
Sustainability Before Relocation
This section explores the Dayak Kenyah’s traditional relationship with the forest before migration. It examines how ecological sustainability was embedded within agricultural practices, spiritual beliefs, customary institutions, and communal structures such as the longhouse. The forest functioned not only as a source of resources but also as a foundation for cultural identity, social organisation, and community autonomy.
Relocation and Cultural Adaptation
This section examines the gradual movement of Dayak Kenyah communities closer to urban centres in search of education, healthcare, infrastructure, and economic opportunities. It explores how relocation transformed their understanding of sustainability, as cultural traditions adapted alongside Christianity, tourism, and new forms of livelihood.
The Gap Between Aspiration and Reality
This section analyzes the challenges that emerged after relocation, including insecure land rights, uneven infrastructure, economic dependence, and concerns about cultural continuity. It distinguishes between compromises the community knowingly accepted and external pressures imposed upon them.
Pathways Toward a Sustainable Future
This section discusses possible solutions, including strengthening customary land rights, supporting Indigenous institutions, expanding community-led economic opportunities, and ensuring greater participation in decisions affecting Indigenous communities.