Sandung Ngaju

Philosophy and Architecture of the Cultural Center

Sandung Ngaju boasts magnificent architecture that adopts the structure of a Rumah Betang (traditional Dayak longhouse). This building is not just a meeting hall, but a representation of the Dayak Ngaju cosmology. The dominant use of ironwood (kayu ulin) symbolizes the resilience and eternity of customary values. In every corner of the building, visitors can find reliefs and carvings of the Batang Garing (Tree of Life) motif, symbolizing the balance between the upper world, the middle world, and the lower world. This cultural center serves as a bridge connecting a heroic past with a dynamic future for the people of Gunung Mas.

Traditional Performing Arts Preservation Programs

One of Sandung Ngaju's main pillars is the revitalization of performing arts. Every week, this cultural center holds intensive training sessions for sacred and secular dances.

1. Mandau Dance and Shield Dance: This program focuses on training the youth's agility in wielding the Mandau. At Sandung Ngaju, this dance is taught not only as aesthetic movement but also as a philosophy of self-protection and the courage to defend truth.

2. Karungut: Sandung Ngaju provides a special stage for Karungut masters (oral literary art) to pass down their skills. Participants are taught how to compose lyrics containing moral advice and local history, accompanied by the distinctive strumming of the Dayak kecapi (lute).

3. Traditional Music: There are special classes for learning the Garantung (gong), Tote (bamboo flute), and Kangkanung instruments. This cultural center ensures that every note produced remains faithful to the original patterns of Dayak Ngaju music.

Crafts and Handicrafts: Weaving Identity

Sandung Ngaju functions as an incubator for local artisans. The main focus here is the development of distinctive Gunung Mas crafts that are becoming rare.

• Rattan and Bamboo Weaving: Elders are invited to teach the techniques of weaving Lanjung (hats) and Tanggui (baskets) to the younger generation. Uniquely, at Sandung Ngaju, participants are also taught how to sustainably harvest raw materials from nature, in accordance with the principles of local wisdom.
• Beadwork (Hetek): This center has a special gallery documenting ancient bead motifs. Educational programs here cover the creation of traditional accessories to traditional attire using intricate bead applications.
• Wood Carving: Wood carvers at Sandung Ngaju regularly produce replicas of Sapundu statues and carvings of dragon or hornbill motifs that hold spiritual protection meanings.

Education and Community Engagement

Sandung Ngaju is not just a tourist attraction, but an active learning center. The "Adat School" program is held every weekend, where elementary to high school students in Gunung Mas come to learn proper Dayak Ngaju language and study the customary law of Belom Bahadat (living according to custom).

Community involvement is also evident in culture-based economic empowerment programs. Sandung Ngaju facilitates local artisans in marketing their products without intermediaries. Furthermore, this cultural center collaborates with schools in Gunung Mas Regency to make visits to Sandung Ngaju a part of the local content curriculum.

Cultural Events and Annual Festivals

Every year, Sandung Ngaju becomes the central point for organizing various major festivals that attract domestic and international tourists:

• Dayak Cultural Symposium: A gathering of adat leaders and academics to discuss the challenges of cultural preservation in the digital era.
• Gunung Mas Arts Festival: Competitions for coastal and inland dances, blowpipe shooting contests, and exhibitions of traditional cuisine such as Juhu Kujang and Wadi.
• Collective Customary Ceremonies: Although major rituals like Tiwah are usually performed in their home villages, Sandung Ngaju often serves as an information and coordination center for researchers wishing to study these processions in depth and ethically.

Role in Intangible Heritage Preservation

Amidst the onslaught of popular culture, Sandung Ngaju acts as a "data bank" for Dayak Ngaju culture. They digitize ancient manuscripts, record nearly extinct folk songs, and document oral histories from elders along the Kahayan and Kurun rivers. This step is crucial to ensure that the identity of the Gunung Mas people is not eroded by time.

This cultural center also actively advocates for intellectual property rights for the distinctive carving and weaving motifs of Gunung Mas, preventing them from being unilaterally claimed by external parties. This is a tangible form of preservation that is sovereign economically and culturally.

Sandung Ngaju as a Catalyst for Local Development

The impact of Sandung Ngaju's existence extends beyond the cultural sector. As a hub of activity, this place fosters the growth of a sustainable tourism ecosystem in Gunung Mas. By promoting the concept of Cultural Tourism, this cultural center attracts visitors who appreciate the depth of philosophy, not just visual entertainment.

Socially, Sandung Ngaju serves as an inclusive space where differences among Dayak sub-tribes are united in the spirit of Huma Betang (togetherness in diversity). Here, social conflicts can be mitigated through cultural dialogue and the reinforcement of the values of brotherhood taught by the ancestors.

Conclusion: Looking Towards the Future

Sandung Ngaju is tangible proof that tradition is not static and backward. Through various innovative programs, this cultural center in Gunung Mas demonstrates that Dayak Ngaju values are highly relevant to current global challenges—especially in terms of environmental balance and social ethics.

By continuing to support Sandung Ngaju, the people of Central Kalimantan are not only preserving their ancestral heritage but also building a strong foundation for national character. This cultural center is a beacon of hope, ensuring that in the land of Gunung Mas, the sound of the kecapi will always be heard, the Mandau dance will always be majestic, and the wisdom of Dayak Ngaju will continue to color world civilization. Cultural preservation at Sandung Ngaju is a sacred promise to the past and an invaluable investment for the future.