Huma Betang Damang Batu

Philosophy and Architecture as Cultural Foundations

Literally, "Huma Betang" means long house, but the addition of "Damang Batu" refers to the legendary figure who led the Tumbang Anoi Meeting in 1894, a historical milestone that ended the tradition of headhunting (mengayau) and ushered in an era of peace among Dayak sub-ethnic groups. The building is designed with a sturdy ironwood (ulin) structure, featuring high pillars to avoid threats from wild animals and floods, while also symbolizing the dignity of its people.

Inside this cultural center, the spatial layout is arranged to reflect social hierarchy and functional roles. The Losang area (spacious living room) is used as a place for deliberation, while the back section is used for communal domestic activities. The architecture itself serves as visual educational material for visitors on how Dayak ancestors integrated forest ecology with human dwellings.

Performing Arts Preservation Programs

Huma Betang Damang Batu runs regular performing arts training programs targeting the youth of Pulang Pisau. One of its main focuses is the development of Tari Mandau and Tari Kinyah. Unlike ordinary stage performances, at this cultural center, the dances are taught complete with the philosophy of courage and self-defense. Each movement carries a deep spiritual meaning, related to the human connection with the universe.

Besides dance, this cultural center revives the tradition of Karungut, a vocal art form of pantuns or poems sung with the accompaniment of a kecapi (zither). Karungut at Huma Betang Damang Batu often contains moral messages, family lineage histories, and socialization of local government programs. Through weekly art workshops, schoolchildren in Pulang Pisau are invited not only to watch but also to master playing traditional instruments like the Garantung (copper gong) and Tote (bamboo flute).

Tradition-Based Craft and Creative Economy Center

In the realm of crafts, Huma Betang Damang Batu functions as an incubator for local artisans. The main focus of craft development here is Rattan Weaving and Getah Nyatu. Visitors can witness firsthand the process of processing rattan stems into Lanjung (backpacks) or Tiwah (traditional hats) with distinctive motifs such as Batang Garing (tree of life).

Another unique offering is the education on making crafts from Getah Nyatu. The Nyatu tree, an endemic Kalimantan plant, is processed into replicas of decorative boats or small statues with intricate details. This program not only aims to preserve ancient techniques but also provides a tangible economic impact for the surrounding community through an art gallery that markets these products internationally.

Character Education and Cultural Literacy

As an educational center, Huma Betang Damang Batu organizes a non-formal "Cultural School" program. This program includes teaching the Dayak Ngaju language, introducing customary law, and the philosophy of harmonious living. One of the most popular modules is the introduction to the Tiwah Ceremony, although its full execution is rare. However, this cultural center provides simulations and in-depth explanations of the process of escorting the soul to Lewu Tatau (heaven).

This education is important to erode negative stigmas against ancient traditions and replace them with an understanding of respect for ancestors. The cultural center also has a mini-library that stores oral histories that have been compiled into books, covering local legends of Pulang Pisau and the history of leadership of the Damangs in the past.

Hosting Festivals and Traditional Rituals

Huma Betang Damang Batu hosts various large-scale activities, one of which is the commemoration of Pulang Pisau Regency's anniversary, usually filled with the Handep Hapakat Cultural Festival. In this festival, the cultural center becomes the main stage for blowpipe shooting competitions (Mangyip), traditional boat racing, and cooking competitions for local delicacies like Juhu Singkah (rattan shoot soup).

Besides celebratory festivals, this place also serves as a sacred location for joint prayer rituals or Mamapas Lewu, a ritual of cleansing the village from negative elements. The presence of these rituals ensures that Huma Betang retains its "spirit" and is not just a dead museum, but a space that continues to breathe with the spiritual pulse of its community.

Role in Regional Cultural Development

The existence of Huma Betang Damang Batu in Pulang Pisau plays a strategic role as a driver of cultural tourism. This cultural center acts as a bridge between the local government and customary institutions. In every policy-making related to environmental preservation or physical development, Huma Betang often becomes a meeting place to seek consensus, in line with the spirit of Handep Hapakat (mutual cooperation for a noble goal).

This cultural center also actively collaborates with schools in Central Kalimantan to make visits to Huma Betang a part of the local content curriculum. Thus, every student in Pulang Pisau develops a strong sense of identity from an early age.

Preserving Heritage in the Digital Era

Facing the challenges of the times, Huma Betang Damang Batu has begun to digitize its cultural content. Recordings of dances, documentation of traditional ceremonies, and craft catalogs are now being archived digitally to be accessible to global researchers and tourists. This effort is undertaken to ensure that even though the physical building may age, the knowledge and values it contains will remain eternal in the digital space.

The emphasis on sustainability is also evident in environmental conservation efforts around the Betang area. The community is encouraged to continue planting trees that are raw materials for crafts, such as rattan and Nyatu trees, so that the cultural and natural cycles are maintained harmoniously.

Huma Betang Damang Batu is a symbol of Dayak cultural resilience. It is a place where the sound of the Garantung still resonates, where mothers' fingers are still nimble weaving rattan, and where young men are still proud to wear their traditional attire. In Pulang Pisau Regency, this cultural center stands tall as a reminder that amidst technological advancements, cultural roots are the compass that will guide humanity to not lose its identity. Through every program and activity, Huma Betang Damang Batu ensures that the flame of Central Kalimantan's culture will continue to burn, illuminating generation after generation.