Reflecting and [Living]: Philosophy and Architecture of the Art and Performance of Talawang

ABSTRACT


INTRODUCTION
Kalimantan is an Indonesian island with a rich culture, much of which remains unexplored.Talawang, a Dayak shield, is one example of this culture.While the sketches of the Talawang shield's patterns or motifs are well known, the story or meaning of the Talawang shield itself can be vague in modern times.It is important to research and preserve the cultural significance of the Talawang and other artefacts like it.
Here is a picture of the Talawang shield: The Dayak Tribe has a wealth of spiritual values [1].Throughout history, spiritual value has been derived from various cultures.One such example is Talawang, which is a shield and tool of war that holds magical value, motifs, colours, and other adornments.As part of local wisdom, Talawang is even incorporated into clothing motifs, whether it be women's or men's clothing [2].
Indonesia is a country that is rich in culture and is home to many researchers.One of the cultures that is often discussed is the Dayak culture.In particular, Talawang, a cultural symbol in Dayak land, holds significant cultural value.The purpose of this paper is to explore and research the meaning and use of Talawang.One of the research subjects stated:

Talawang dengan gambar bajei tuh kemungkinan tege makna kabuat akan Suku Dayak tuh, mbingat batang bajei tuh rancak i anggap sebagai simbol keabadian dengan kekuatan. Guna gambar jituh tau terkait kia dengan harapan supaya tau berkelanjutan dengan kekuatan ji abadi. Dan tege makna bahwa tau jadi contoh akan manusia te selalu huang jalan ji pas.
Talawang, in the form of a fern, may hold special significance for the Dayak people.The fern tree is often regarded as a symbol of permanence and strength, which could explain the use of this shape.It may represent the hope for sustainability and enduring strength, serving as an example for humans to always walk on the right path.

LITERATURE REVIEW
Before delving deeper into the meaning of the Talawang shield, this study examines the research and reviews the works of Mangundhining Siwi Syahbani, Yohanes Natali Routa Stela, and Anne Schiller, who have discussed Talawang from various perspectives, including fashion, architecture, and historical significance.The author presents the three previous studies by Mangundhining Siwi Syahbani, Yohanes Natali Routa Stela, and Anne Schiller first.

First Literature
In the previous study, Mangundhining Siwi Syahbani's research on Talawang was reviewed.The focus was on its eclectic fashion style and how it was incorporated into furniture design for aesthetic and functional purposes.[3].

Syahbani presents
Talawang, the traditional clothing of East Kalimantan, in Figure 2.  The motifs found in Talawang share similar characteristics with those in Syahbani's research.The divergence is that the researchers see Talawang as a shield in terms of narratives told by cultural activists in Central Kalimantan, which are more humanistic in meaning or more in line with the values raised by Talawang.

Second Literature
The second previous research, the researchers looked at Yohanes Natali Routa Stela's research on building architecture that was transformed by the roof of the building in the form of Tameng/Talawang of Dayak Customs [4].According to Stela, the Talawang form incorporates cultural accents, symbols, and landmarks [4].The performance arena is constructed using piles, space frames, and flattened audience stands to accommodate the swampy soil conditions.The provided image, picture 4, serves as documentation of Stela's ownership of Talawang [4].

Third Literature
In the third section of the previous research, the authors look at the data research of Anne Schiller, who spoke in 1999 about the history of the Dayak Association in East Kalimantan [5].Schiller discusses the symbols of the natural and social world in relation to ethnicity.Both Schiller and the author explore the concept of ethnicity as it pertains to the Dayak people in Kalimantan [5], [6].
Schiller is more concerned with the meaning contained in the custom itself, which leads to a space of solidarity between communities that is still maintained today.The distinction is that the researchers are more focused on the specific meaning of the Talawang shield, seeking data through interviews with traditional leaders who know about the Talawang shield.

METHODS
This research method involves data collection through interviews with experts or individuals knowledgeable about Talawang artefacts and Dayak shields, which are typically made of Ulin or Ironwood.The research subject, Nedkhng (not his real name), is a 47-year-old Christian who currently serves as a local village facilitator in Central Kalimantan.
The research process involved conducting interviews to gather information about Talawang, including its shape, the type of wood used (Rattan and Ulin), and the meanings of Kelakai, Tombak, Batang Garing, and Sapundu.The interviews were conducted solely to reveal the meaning of Talawang without delving deeper into its history.
The analysis of meaning involves searching for philosophical concepts such as life, responsibility of tool users, symbolisation of rich cultural heritage, depiction, and respect for nature and organic nuances.
Additionally, researchers sought data through visual images, such as photos depicting Talawang artefacts.The photos presented serve as supporting evidence or objects/subjects for researchers to interpret within the cultural and literal landscape.
Talawang holds great significance in Dayak culture as it is traditionally used in warfare to protect against enemy attacks.Talawang holds great significance in Dayak culture as it is traditionally used in warfare to protect against enemy attacks.However, in modern times, Talawang has become more closely associated with Dayak regional dances.Talawang holds great significance in Dayak culture as it is traditionally used in warfare to protect against enemy attacks [7].Talawang is not only used for war, but it can also be found in sandung houses where the bones of the dead are kept.It is also associated with the Hindu Kaharingan religion, in which the Dayak people believe that the place has a guardian or their ancestors [5], [8]- [11].

Secara uras te Talawang Jia baya tentang alat perang bewei, tapi kia cerminan budaya Dayak dengan nilai-nilai budaya Dayak te, mangat uluh Dayak tau menghargai dan melestarikan budaya Dayak tuh, supaya Jia kana telen zaman ji semakin modern tuh.
Overall, Talawang reflects not only the tools of war but also the values and culture of the Dayak people.It serves as a means for Dayak people to appreciate and preserve their culture, preventing it from being lost in the face of modernity.
The Talawang is a traditional shield with significant cultural value in Dayak life.It is crafted from Ulin wood or Ironwood, both of which possess exceptional strength and durability.The use of these natural materials not only enhances the physical strength of the Talawang, but also imbues it with rich symbolism related to nature and the daily lives of the Dayak people [12]- [37].
It is crucial to comprehend that Talawang holds not only physical defensive capabilities but also significant symbolic value [38]- [46] [47].Talawang is primarily a symbol of protection for the Dayak people.It is used as a shield to safeguard against various forms of danger, including warfare, wild animals, and negative energies [1], [47].
Talawang are often adorned with artistic carvings that hold special significance to the Dayak people.These motifs may reflect daily life, myths, or values cherished by the community.Therefore, Talawang is not only a utilitarian object but also a work of art that reflects the rich cultural heritage of the Dayak Tribe.The provided pictures serve as documentation.


Talawang can play a significant role in religious ceremonies, weddings, and other special occasions in traditional contexts [101]- [107].The use of Talawang not only creates a spiritual bond between individuals and communities but also connects them to their ancestral heritage.
Therefore, Talawang is not only a traditional defence tool but also a symbol of courage, protection and cultural wealth passed down from generation to generation within the Dayak community.
Talawang forms come in various types, including plant forms such as Rattan, Kelakai, and Ferns, as well as forms of spears, garing rods, and Sapundu.These forms are well-known in every Dayak area and have many uses, including important events such as weddings, deaths, religious ceremonies, and rituals in the Dayak Tribe that symbolise gratitude and blessings for the Dayak Tribe [7].
Talawang made of rattan reflects the Dayak people's connection to the surrounding environment and the richness of nature.The use of natural materials gives the Talawang an organic feel, and it is often decorated with motifs inspired by the natural world.
The Talawang Kelakai shape reflects a close relationship with the Kelakai plant.It may reflect its importance in daily life or have a particular symbolic value that is respected by the Dayak Tribe.
The use of Talawang in the form of a fern may symbolize permanence and strength, possibly indicating a hope for sustainability and enduring strength.
Sapundu is a tree that is often used to make funeral poles, so Talawang with this shape can represent the cycle of life and death [116].
Each form of Talawang holds great significance in the lives of the Dayak people.Its use extends beyond physical security, as it also serves as a symbol during important moments such as marriage, death, religious ceremonies, and other rituals.Talawang embodies the cultural heritage, gratitude, and blessings of the Dayak Tribe, which are preserved in various aspects of their lives.

CONCLUSION
Talawang has many meanings and uses in the context of the Dayak Tribe.And what reseacherss could also understand is that a culture will never be abandoned for Tribes in Indonesia as it is so vital to preserve and maintain a culture for this in order to the younger generation who will continue the progress of this nation could always develop the talents or potentials that exist within themselves for the culture, whether it's academic or non-academic, in order to not be inferior to the progress of foreign nations but for country to progress in own way, which is to maintain the existing culture of Indonesia.

Figure 2 .
Figure 2. Traditional Clothing of East Kalimantan

Figure 3 .
Figure 3.Other Evening Party Motif Designs

Figure 4 .
Figure 4. Mass Formation and The Existence of The Talawang Roof