Wisdom In Narrative: An Oral Literature Study Of The Dayak Kenyah Myths In Antutan, Bulungan

Jefry Jefry; Atefeh Salemi; Obianuju Osita Oku

doi:10.37251/jolle.v2i2.2622

Jefry Jefry University Of Borneo Tarakan
Atefeh Salemi Purpose of the study: This study aims to describe the functions of myths within the Dayak Kenyah community in Antutan Village and explain their cultural significance as part of the community’s oral literary tradition. Methodology: This study employed a qualitative descriptive method using human instrument techniques. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, voice recordings, direct observation, field notes, and documentation. Four native informants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using identification, classification, interpretation, and inference procedures. Main Findings: The study identifies thirty-seven myth data classified into four main functions: projection system (five data), cultural validation (eleven data), pedagogical function (thirteen data), and social control (nine data). These myths reflect moral, social, customary, and spiritual values embedded in daily life, indicating that the Dayak Kenyah people sustain cultural identity through oral traditions and inherited beliefs. Novelty/Originality of this study: This study provides the first systematic documentation of Dayak Kenyah myths in Antutan Village, a topic that has not been previously researched. It offers new insights into the cultural logic, functions, and values of these myths, enriching oral literature studies and supporting efforts to preserve local indigenous knowledge.
Obianuju Osita Oku

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37251/jolle.v2i2.2622

Keywords: Cultural Functions, Dayak Kenyah Myths, Indigenous Tradition, Oral Literature, Social Values

Abstract

Purpose of the study: This study aims to describe the functions of myths within the Dayak Kenyah community in Antutan Village and explain their cultural significance as part of the community’s oral literary tradition.

Methodology: This study employed a qualitative descriptive method using human instrument techniques. Data were collected through in-depth interviews, voice recordings, direct observation, field notes, and documentation. Four native informants were selected using purposive sampling. Data were analyzed using identification, classification, interpretation, and inference procedures.

Main Findings: The study identifies thirty-seven myth data classified into four main functions: projection system (five data), cultural validation (eleven data), pedagogical function (thirteen data), and social control (nine data). These myths reflect moral, social, customary, and spiritual values embedded in daily life, indicating that the Dayak Kenyah people sustain cultural identity through oral traditions and inherited beliefs.

Novelty/Originality of this study: This study provides the first systematic documentation of Dayak Kenyah myths in Antutan Village, a topic that has not been previously researched. It offers new insights into the cultural logic, functions, and values of these myths, enriching oral literature studies and supporting efforts to preserve local indigenous knowledge.

References

C. Doss, R. Meinzen-Dick, A. Quisumbing, and S. Theis, “Women in agriculture: Four myths,” Glob. Food Sec., vol. 16, no. October 2017, pp. 69–74, 2018, doi: 10.1016/j.gfs.2017.10.001.

R. Kurniawan, S. R. Wulandari, and A. Z. Alam, “Dayak sape’music workshop as a medium for cultural communication, skill development, and appreciation of nusantara music,” Mattawang J. Pengabdi. Masy., vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 190–199, 2025, doi: 10.35877/454RI.mattawang4180.

R. Sakinah and H. K. Surtikanti, “Upaya pelestarian pertanian oleh masyarakat dayak Meratus berbasis kearifan lokal manugal: Studi literatur,” J. Socio-Cultural Sustain. Resil., vol. 1, no. 2, pp. 119–126, 2024, doi: 10.61511/jscsr.v1i2.2024.427.

S. Chakraborty, “Dissecting the toto myths , tales , and legends : review of oral stories of the totos by ketaki datta,” Litinfinite J., vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 113–116, 2022, doi: 10.47365/litinfinite.4.1.2022.113-116.

K. Ghosh and P. D. Mullick, “Anthropology and folklore studies in india : An overview,” Int. J. Sci. Res., vol. 9, no. 6, pp. 2018–2021, 2020, doi: 10.21275/SR20607091927.

S. Nimpf and D. A. Keays, “Myths in magnetosensation,” iScience, vol. 25, no. 6, p. 104454, 2022, doi: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104454.

A. F. Wahab, “Scooping review strategi promosi kesehatan di komunitas: Sebuah kajian sistematis tentang media, fungsi edukasi, dan hambatan praktis,” J. Manaj. Inf. dan Adm. Kesehat., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 49–57, 2025, doi: 10.32585/jmiak.v8i1.6918.

Y. M. Jannah, I. F. Wati, and M. E. Wulanningtyas, “Exploration of ethnomathematics in indonesian cultural heritage eksplorasi etnomatematika pada cagar budaya Indonesia,” Pedagog. J. Islam. Elem. Sch. Vol.8, vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 407–424, 2024, doi: 10.24256/pijies.v8i1.6899.

S. Joshi, Shalini Garg, Abhishek Dhindsa, Neetu Jain, and Shashi Singh, “Prevalent dental myths and practices in indian population- a systematic review,” Int. Healthc. Res. J., vol. 3, no. 10, pp. 316–326, 2020, doi: 10.26440/ihrj/0310.01314.

M. I. Nasution, “The profile of kaba si tungga manuscript and the play script of anggun nan tongga by wisran hadi : an overview of the transcription and transformation of minangkabau oral literary texts,” in Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research, volume 604 4th International Conference on Language, Literature, and Education (ICLLE-4 2021) The, 2021, pp. 204–209. doi: 10.2991/assehr.k.211201.031.

M. Co, “Sözlü gelenekten yaziliya: bektaşi mitlerinin kutsaldan sekülere uzanan yolu,” Selcuk TURKIYAT, no. 65, pp. 55–68, 2025, doi: 10.21563/sutad.1627511.

R. A. Oliviaa, A. Ashari, M. Ervin, and M. S. R. Bambang Syaeful Hadi Rayung Wulan Brotowiranti, Az-Zahra Ardhana Reswari, Kinanthi Purbaning Yuangwidi Greace Nanda Putri Salma Kamila Nur Fitriana, Nurul Hakimah Che Abdullah Fatihin Nabiha Mohd Zekeri, “Exploring the legend and the myth in ocean and maritime life: A systematic literature review,” Geomedia Maj. Ilm. dan Inf. Kegeografian, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 241–253, 2024.

A. A. Salami, K. K. Kanmodi, and J. Amzat, “The roles of chaplains in dispelling cancer myths in Nigeria : A narrative review,” Narrat. REV I EW, no. August, pp. 1–10, 2023, doi: 10.1002/hsr2.1502.

H. A. Halim, A. Ahmi, M. H. Hamzah, N. Kalsum, M. Isa, and A. M. Yaseen, “A bibliometric review of research on oral traditions: an overview of over 100 years of studies,” J. Lang. Linguist. Stud. ISSN, vol. 17, no. 4, pp. 2174–2188, 2021, doi: 10.52462/jlls.158.

K. E. Simanungkalit, K. Saddhono, and M. Rohmadi, “Representation of cultural elements in tombak sulu sulu among the batak toba community : A semiotic analysis using roland barthes ’ perspective,” Theory Pract. Lang. Stud., vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 1298–1307, 2025, doi: 10.17507/tpls.1504.28.

A. Reis, F. Gutierrez, V. P. Feitosa, A. C. Chibinski, M. W. Favoreto, and A. D. Loguercio, “Biomimetic Restorative Dentistry : an evidence-based discussion of common myths,” JAOS J. Appl. Oral Sci., vol. 4, no. 5, pp. 1–16, 2024.

S. Ahmad, “An overview of folk literature in Indian languages,” Int. J. Hist. Cult. Stud., vol. 10, no. 2, pp. 1–23, 2024, doi: 10.20431/2454-7654.1002001.

K. W. Wibisana, “Analisis tindak tutur dalam sawer panganten karya wahyu wibisana,” J. Kata Bahasa, Sastra, dan Pembelajarannya, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 240–255, 2025, doi: 10.23960/kata.v13i1.220.

C. S. Pramesti, C. Husnan, Z. Dapik, A. Manap, and E. Nurholis, “Socio-Ecological Conservation in the Architecture of Kampung Adat Dukuh : A Critical Study Approach Based on Lawrence and,” JAMASAN J. Mhs. Pendidik. Sej., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1–18, 2025, doi: 10.25157/jamasan.v1i1.5331.

D. Febriyanti, A. Fisabilillah, N. Vianney, and E. L. S, “Perubahan dan keberlanjutan tradisi di puri saren agung ubud: perkembangan tradisi dari masa ke masa,” J. Ilmu-Ilmu Sejarah, Sos. Budaya dan Pendidik., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 266–283, 2025, doi: 10.33059/jsnbl.v12i1.11964.

A. A.-M. SAM, Ubaidillah, E. Habibi, and I. A. Alfatani, “Tajhin sora dalam tradisi asyura: konstruksi simbolik, makna historis, dan fungsi sosial di masyarakat Bondowoso,” Tajhin Sora dalam Tradisi Asyura, no. 54, pp. 1328–1337, 2025, doi: 10.36835/ancoms.v9i1.781.

M. R. Rachman, “Iterature review: eksistensi tradisi sekura sebagai identitas budaya lampung,” J. PUNYIMBANG (PENDIDIKAN Bhs. LAMPUNG) Fak., vol. 20, no. 1, p. 703475, 2014, doi: 10.23960/punyimbang.

I. Media, I. Media, L. Tentang, K. Warisan, and V. Dalam, “GOVERNANCE : Jurnal Ilmiah Kajian Politik Lokal dan Pembangunan,” Gov. J. Ilm. Kaji. Polit. Lokal dan Pembang., vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 115–122, 2026, doi: 10.56015/gjikplp.v13i1.686.

I. Idrus, N. Paddiyatu, and S. Latif, “Mengintegrasikan warisan budaya dalam arsitektur modern : tinjauan literatur tentang menyeimbangkan keberlanjutan dan identitas,” J. LINEARS, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 69–88, 2024, doi: 10.26618/j-linears.v7i2.16019.

Y. B. Nursanti et al., “Systematic literature review : Efektivitas penerapan pendekatan etnomatematika dalam pembelajaran,” J. Educ. Dev., vol. 12, no. 3, pp. 107–113, 2024, doi: 10.37081/ed.v12i3.6367.

I. A. Damayanti and S. Kusdiwanggo, “Faktor-faktor yang memengaruhi perubahan pada rumah dan permukiman tradisional di indonesia ( systematic literature review ),” J. Lingkung. BINAAN Indones., vol. 13, no. 167, pp. 201–206, 2024, doi: 10.32315/jlbi.v13i4.412 |.

J. V. Kanty, A. P. P. Yahya, and A. F. Syahtari, “Tari radap rahayu : Eksplorasi keindahan dan makna dalam gerakan tradisional ”,” Relig. J. Agama, Sos. dan Budaya, vol. 3, no. 3, pp. 65–77, 2024, doi: 10.55606/religion.v3i3.987.

M. D. Rivaldi and Dara Shaffira Benhar, “Pendidikan sebagai penjaga warisan: Kajian historis dan strategi pewarisan kebudayaan Sunda,” J. Artefak, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 197–212, 2025, doi: 10.25157/ja.v12i1.19641 Pendidikan.

S. Febriantina, C. Kimura, H. Nurkhairani, M. F. Bayu, P. A. Nugraha, and S. Primadhita, “Literature review : Teori-teori kepemimpinan ( modern dan tradisional ),” J. Student Res., vol. 3, no. 5eptember, pp. 45–57, 2025, doi: 10.55606/jsr.v3i1.3531.

N. Zulema, P. Prpich, G. E. Camprubí, M. E. Cayré, and M. P. Castro, “Review article indigenous microbiota to leverage traditional dry sausage production,” Int. J. Food Sci., vol. 13, no. 3, 2021, doi: 10.1155/2021/6696856.

T. T. Derham, F. Mathews, and C. N. Johnson, “Rewilding and indigenous community-led land care,” Conserv. Lett. Rev., vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1–9, 2025, doi: 10.1111/conl.13090.

B. N. F. Zunaedi, H. R. Annisa, and M. Dewi, “Fungsi internal audit dan manajemen risiko perusahaan: sebuah tinjauan literatur,” J. Bisnis dan Akunt., vol. 24, no. 1, pp. 59–70, 2022, doi: 10.34208/jba.v24i1.1159.

M. Binar and F. Mutiara, “Systematic Literature Review : Fenomena Gentrifikasi Pada Kawasan Cagar Budaya,” vol. 8, no. 2, pp. 98–109, 2025.

O. Herreras, “Local field potentials: Myths and misunderstandings,” Front. Neural Circuits, vol. 10, no. DEC, pp. 1–16, 2016, doi: 10.3389/fncir.2016.00101.

F. L. Hursepuny and E. Tarigan, “Peran kepala ruang dalam meningkatkan budaya keselamatan pasien di rumah sakit: literature review,” J. Multidiciplinary Appl. Nat. Sci., vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1–12, 2021, doi: 10.56338/mppki.v7i6.5100.

A. Sari, K. Paridi, and N. Sudika, “Bentuk, fungsi, dan makna lelakaq: Kajian sastra lisan masyarakat sasak,” Kopula J. Bahasa, Sastra, dan Pendidik., vol. 3, no. 2, pp. 28–36, 2021, doi: 10.29303/kopula.v3i2.2704.

M. D. Griffiths, Z. Demetrovics, and P. A. Atroszko, “Ten myths about work addiction,” J. Behav. Addict., vol. 7, no. 4, pp. 845–857, 2018, doi: 10.1556/2006.7.2018.05.

W. Häuser and M. A. Fitzcharles, “Facts and myths pertaining to fibromyalgia,” Dialogues Clin. Neurosci., vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 53–62, 2018, doi: 10.31887/dcns.2018.20.1/whauser.

Halimatusya’diyah and R. Ramadiani, “Relasi manusia dan lingkungan dalam astra Indonesia: Studi literatur berbasis ekologi budaya,” J. Tinta, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 230–236, 2025, doi: 10.35897/jurnaltinta.v7i2.1877.

A. P. Satrianingrum and F. A. Setyawati, “Differences in parenting patterns for early childhood reviewed by various ethnic groups in indonesia: literature review,” JIV-Jurnal Ilm. Visi, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 1–10, 2021, doi: 10.21009/JIV.1601.1 Volume.

M. J. Proulx, L. Ross, C. Macdonald, S. Fitzsimmons, and M. Smit, “Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge and ocean observing: a review of successful partnerships,” Front. Mar. Sci., vol. 8, no. July, pp. 1–17, 2021, doi: 10.3389/fmars.2021.703938.

C. Sada, Y. Alas, and M. Anshari, “Indigenous people of Borneo (Dayak): Development, social cultural perspective and its challenges,” Cogent Arts Humanit., vol. 6, no. 1, 2019, doi: 10.1080/23311983.2019.1665936.

A. Poyser and D. Daugaard, “Indigenous sustainable finance as a research field: A systematic literature review on indigenising ESG, sustainability and indigenous community practices,” Account. Financ., vol. 63, no. 1, pp. 47–76, 2023, doi: 10.1111/acfi.13062.

S. Issahaku, E. K. Tham-Agyekum, E. Taylor, and F. Ankuyi, “Exploring indigenous communication strategies for championing development initiatives: A review of the role of drama, folk songs and poetry,” SVU-International J. Agric. Sci., vol. 6, no. 3, pp. 47–58, 2024, doi: 10.21608/svuijas.2024.289926.1370.

W. Liu, H. Xue, and Z. Y. Wang, “A systematic comparison of intercultural and indigenous cultural dance education from a global perspective (2010–2024),” Front. Psychol., vol. 15, no. November, pp. 1–18, 2024, doi: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1493457.

R. González, H. Carvacho, and G. Jiménez-Moya, “Psychology and Indigenous People,” Annu. Rev. Psychol., vol. 73, pp. 431–459, 2022, doi: 10.1146/annurev-psych-012921-045304.

M. Mesinas and S. Casanova, “The value of communal and intergenerational settings for studying social and emotional learning,” Child Dev. Perspect., vol. 17, no. 3–4, pp. 122–128, 2023, doi: 10.1111/cdep.12485.

C. Viscogliosi et al., “Importance of Indigenous elders’ contributions to individual and community wellness: results from a scoping review on social participation and intergenerational solidarity,” Can. J. Public Heal., vol. 111, no. 5, pp. 667–681, 2020, doi: 10.17269/s41997-019-00292-3.

N. Aini, N. Suri, and Pujiati, “Ethnographic review of Bajapuik tradition in Minangkabau custom in Pariaman, West Sumatra,” J. Pendidikan, Sejarah, dan Ilmu - Ilmu Sos., vol. 8, no. 1, pp. 170–175, 2024, doi: 10.30743/mkd.v8i1.8708.

O. Paramitha and S. Kusdiwanggo, “Systematic literature review : Arsitektur tradisional Vernakular dalam konteks tradisi dan warisan budaya Kampung Kota,” J. Arsit. Zo., vol. 6, no. 2, pp. 493–506, 2024, doi: 10.17509/jaz.v7i3.68975.

H. Hasan, A. R. Fauzi, R. Hidayah, M. S. Qadri, and A. Ati, “Peuyem koroto : pewarisan makanan tradisional dan nilai-nilai karakter masyarakat desa Ciparigi,” Tambo; J. Manuscr. Oral Tradit. Vol., vol. 02, no. 1, 2024, doi: 10.55981/tambo.2024.5022.

D. Ariani, “Integrasi nilai etnopedagogik dalam pendidikan multikultural di indonesia: Systematic literature review,” J. Teknol. Pendidik. dan Pembelajaran, Univ. Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa, vol. 11, no. February, pp. 4–6, 2024, doi: 10.62870/jtppm.v12i1.34469.

D. G. Saputra, N. R. rachman Juwita, N. L. Fahmita, Z. Z. Salsabila, and D. Z. Tarsidi, “Systematic literature review penerapan nilai-nilai lokal dalam pembelajaran ppkn di sd dan faktor penghambatnya,” Cendekia Pendidik., vol. 4, no. 4, pp. 50–54, 2024, doi: 10.9644/sindoro.v3i9.252.

Nasir, Ridha Ichwanty Sabir, A. Y. Ulfa, Ahmad Imran, and Anna Majid, “Integrasi nilai-nilai kearifan lokal dalam pendidikan karakter di sekolah : tinjauan literature review,” Didakt. J. Kependidikan, vol. 14, no. 2 Mei, pp. 3151–3168, 2025, doi: 10.58230/27454312.2541.