Dayak and Ritual

Motif N Style
In the art of the Dayak, frightening animals were used to scare bad spirits and enemies. The shields of the Kenyah, Kayan and Bahau were often decorated with hypnotizing eyes and mouth full with dangerous teeth.These images can also be found on the masks and graves which are made by the handicraftsmen of these populations. In Dayak art, frightening animals generally function to scare away both evil spirits and human enemies. The designs are often decorated with large, hypnotic eyes and moths studded with fangs, these designs appear on masks, shields, graves, crafted by the craftsmen. Many motifs, especially the human figure, were reserved for ristocrats, from Dayak Kenyah, Kayan and Bahau.

DAYAK RELIGION & ART
Although there are notable differences in the various Dayak group’s religious eliefs, the comment environment of jungle and rivers, along with rice-based agriculture, seems to have led to similar Dayak “faiths”. Spirits crowd the Dayak supernatural world. These powerful beings some beneficial, some harmful- are manipulated through rituals, offerings and various artistic expressions.Most of Dayak art was, and to a large extent remains, intimately associated with religion and social hierarchy. Funerary structures are the most obvious extant examples. These include raised coffins and carved poles to which the animal formerly, slaves are tied before being sacrificed in the ritual. People of wealth and status, the aristocrats, received the most elaborate funerals, and special motifs were reserved for their coffins.