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In the past, the life of the Dayak tribes who live in Borneo live in groups. Where they live life through together, it was manifested in a work that is, Huma Betang. Betang has its own uniqueness can be observed from the elongated shape and there is only one staircase and entrance to the Betang. Ladder as a liaison to the Betang called Hejot.

Huma Betang

Betang is built high from the ground is to avoid things that are disturbing the inhabitants of Sport, such as avoiding enemy can come suddenly, the beast, or the flooding that sometimes swept. Almost all Betang can be found on the outskirts of the big rivers in Kalimantan. Betang built usually large, its length can reach 30-150 meters and its width can reach about 10-30 meters, has a pole that is about 3-5 meters. Betang in the build using materials of high quality wood, which Ulin wood (Eusideroxylon zwageri), in addition to having the power that can stand up to hundreds of years and the anti-termite. Betang is usually inhabited by 100-150 people in it, was certainly an atmosphere that is in it. Betang can be said to be the home tribe, because in addition to containing a large family who became residents and led also by a Pambakas Lewu. Inside Betang is divided into several rooms occupied by each family.

Betang on the front page is usually found as a meeting hall where a guest or as a traditional meeting place, there are also halls can be found sapundu. Sapundu is a statue, or totems, who generally have a human-shaped carvings are typical. Sapundu have a function as a place to tie the animals to be sacrificed for the ceremonial procession. Sometimes there are also Patahu in Betang that serves as a house of worship.
On the back can be found in a small hall called tukau used as warehouses for storing agricultural equipment, such as Lisung or Halu. In Sport there is also a place used as a weapon storage, where it was commonly called Bawong. On the front or the back there is usually also stumbled. Trip is a place where the bones of the deceased’s family and has gone through the process Tiwah ceremony.
One custom is to maintain the Dayak tribe of animals, like dogs, birds, cats, pigs, or cows. In addition to caring for the dog, Dayak tribe also needs the dog’s role as a ‘friend’ the faithful at the time of hunting in the jungle. In the days gone by Dayak tribe never want to eat dog meat, because the Dayak tribe has considered the dog as a faithful companion who always accompany especially when in the woods. Because dogs are considered as part of the Dayak tribe, the dog was also given a name like a man.
It is unfortunate as the modernization of the present building, Betang is now almost extinct, but Betang is one embodiment of the spirit and togetherness of a Dayak tribe. Maybe later Betang will really become extinct but it is our responsibility to the ancestors to keep the spirit of Huma Betang. We have to realize this inner sense would have to keep fighting the culture of the ancestors.

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