Dayak Tunjung people

There is no written record about the origin of Dayak Tunjung. Oral tradition relates that the Tunjung descended from deities who became humans to restore a broken world, known as Jaruk’ng Tempuq. Their original name, Tonyooi, reflects their ancestral hero role as protective deities. The term tunjung in the Tunjung language means "going home" or "going towards the river source".

The Tunjung live alongside the Dayak Benuaq, who share historical and cultural connections. Conversion to Christianity occurred in the mid-19th century. In Kenohan and Muara Wis, most Tunjung belong to the Indonesian Bethel Church (Protestant). In West Kutai Regency, around 53.5% are Protestant, 44.5% Roman Catholic, 1.5% Muslim, and 0.5% Kaharingan adherents.

Most Tunjung are Christian, with a minority practicing Islam. Ancestor spirits are still honored for protection and prosperity, mediated by shamans (beliatn). The influence of Islam is minimal; for example, the name of the supreme deity, Laraia, derives from Allah (ta'ala) but is used differently in rituals.^{[3][unreliable source?]}

The Tunjung primarily practice agriculture, often shifting cultivation, with rice as the main crop. They also grow secondary crops such as corn, cassava, sweet potato, legumes, vegetables, and perennial trees like coconut, durian, rambutan, cempedak, and langsat. Supplementary activities include fishing with traditional traps, hunting, and harvesting forest products like rattan, resin, tengkawang wood, and bird nests.^[4]

Currently, several associations unite the sub-ethnic groups, such as Sempekat Tonyoi Benuaq (STB), a member of East Kalimantan Dayak Association (PDKT). Other organizations include Sempekat Tonyooi Sekolaq and TBBR (Pasukan Merah TBBR), which focus on preserving Dayak customs and culture across Kalimantan, Sarawak, and Brunei Darussalam.

The Tunjung speak the Tunjung language, with five dialects: Central Tunjung, Londong, Linggang, Berambai, and Pahu. Most are bilingual in Indonesian, and many understand the Kutai, Banjar, or Benuaq languages. Tunjung belongs to the Barito-Mahakam group of Austronesian languages.^[4]

• Tunjung Bubut: Asa, Juhan Asa, Balok Asa, Pepas, Juaq, Muara Asa, Ongko, Ombau, Ngenyan, Gemuhan
• Tunjung Asli: New Geleo and Old Geleo
• Tunjung Bahau: Barong Tongkok, Sekolaq Darat, Sekolaq Muliaq, Sekolaq Oday, Sekolaq Joleq
• Tunjung Hilir: Empas, Empakuq, Bunyut, Kuangan
• Tunjung Lonokng: Gemuruh, Sekong Rotoq, Sakaq Tada, Gadur
• Tunjung Linggang: Linggang Bigung, Linggang Melapeh, Linggang Mapan, Linggang Amer, Linggang Kebut, Linggang Mencelew, Linggang Marimun, Linggang Muara Leban, Linggang Muara Mujan, Linggang Tering, Linggang Jelemuq, Linggang Kelubaq, Linggang Tutung, Lakan Bilem, Intu Lingau, Muara Batuq, Muyub
• Tunjung Berambai: Muara Pahu, Abit, Selais, Muara Jawaq, Kota Bangun, Enggelam, Lamin Telihan, Malong, Pelay, Kembang Janggut, Kelekat, Buaq, Pulau Pinang, Teluk Bingkai, Lamin Pulut, Bukit Layang

The Dayak Tunjung people inhabit the following areas:^{[5][unreliable source?]}

1. Long Iram, West Kutai Regency
2. Tering
3. Linggang Bigung
4. Barong Tongkok
5. Melak
6. Sekolaq Darat
7. Muara Pahu
8. Mook Manor Bulatn
9. Muara Wis, Kutai Kartanegara Regency
   1. Village of Enggelam, Muara Wis, Kutai Kartanegara Regency
10. Kembang Janggut, Kutai Kartanegara Regency
    1. Village of Kelekat
    2. Village of Bukit Layang
    3. Village of Pulau Pinang
    4. Dusun Buaq
11. Kenohan, Kutai Kartanegara Regency
    1. Village of Lamin Telihan
    2. Village of Teluk Bingkai
    3. Village of Lamin Pulut
    4. Dusun Malong
    5. Dusun Pelay
12. Dusun Rajak, Village of Kedang Murung, Kota Bangun, Kutai Kartanegara Regency

The Tunjung follow bilateral kinship principles, tracing both paternal and maternal lines. Kinship groups are organized into purus (blood or marriage ties). Villages evolved from longhouses (luu), with social stratification historically marked as hajiiq (royalty), mantiiq (guards and subordinates), erentikaaq (commoners), and ripatn (servants).

Youth organizations include:

• KPADK (Komando Pertahanan Adat Dayak Kalimantan)
• LPADKT (Laskar Pertahanan Adat Dayak Kalimantan Timur)
• Punggawa

• Dr. Yurnalis Ngayoh (former Governor of East Kalimantan)
• Mgr. J. Husin, MSF (former bishop of Palangkaraya)
• Mgr. F. Sului, MSF (former bishop Samarinda)
• Ismael Thomas [id], former Regent of West Kutai (2006–2016), DPR RI member 2019–2024
• Y. Dullah, Chairman of the Customary Council, West Kutai
• Drs. Thomas Edison M.Si., Director General of Protestant Christian Ministry, Depag RI Jakarta
• Prof. Dr. Laurentius Dyson P, Postgraduate Lecturer UNAIR Surabaya
• Col. Yohanes Ubad, former Mawil Hansip Bankalan Madura
• Dr. Michael Elias Malat, former Dean of Economics Faculty, Universitas Pelita Harapan