Borneo’s Beating Heart

The forest is life itself to the Dayaks—the indigenous people of Kalimantan. Its flora and fauna are a wealth of sources for their economy, their health and their well-being. No less important is the source of spirituality it derives from. In such a pristine and protected environment the Dayaks believe the spirits of their ancestors live among them, protecting their descendents throughout the island of Borneo. Not surprisingly the Paser Muluy and Meratus Dayaks will tirelessly fight the forest destroyers. Even so, at times, they are powerless against the pressures of bureaucracy and commercial interests. Tragically, that’s when the links between the Dayak children and their ancestral lands are broken. Tempo English Edition reports from Kalimantan.