The traditional farming of Dayak is well-known as shifting cultivation using inherited seed. Scientifically, shifting cultivation refers to those who conduct rotational cultivation with rather long fallow period.
This fallow period functions as forest conservation dan natural resource around. It allows vegetation regenerates in nature to revert soil’s fertility and ecological forest’s function.
The step in traditional farming of Dayak’s community starts with deciding the next location for cultivation then followed by land clearance.
Afterwards it’s time for planting the inherited seed of rice. The planting comprises of what farmers call as “menugal” and “menebar”.
Menugal is dibbling soil with a pointed stick in order to sow seeds. The hole is 7 cm depth with 50 cm distanced from other holes. Dibble’s usually performed by men as it’s more exhausted.
Menebar is sowing the seed into the hole. The scatterers are women. Those activities are conducted in group.
Traditional farming is about culture, participation and balance in gender.
Cultivation is not merely for getting food, but also to sustain the culture. Cultivation can’t be detached from culture. Every step of cultivation takes culture within it, for instance fertility cult.
Participation means community self-help. It’s a mutual cooperation. Other families give hands to help and they‘ll gain the same aids in return.
Balance in gender can be seen from cultivation’s activity which involves male and female. Man and woman, children, youth and elderly people participate sincerely.
