Dayaks are the native people groups in the Kalimantan Island. The Sanggau-Sekadau group lives in the areas of Sanggau and Sekadau, which are separated by only about an hour’s travel by public transportation. Dayaks become Sanggau-Sekadau Muslims either as individuals, in a family, or together with all the people in a larger group. The term “Dayak Senganan” refers to a group of Dayaks who are Muslims, who claim themselves as Sekadau Malay. The Sanggau-Sekadau live mostly around the capital cities of the Sanggau and Sekadau regencies in East Kalimantan.

Mystical influences, however, are still evident in their lives. A shaman is an important figure in their society, but they are considered poor because of the many prohibitions placed upon them. Some have changed religions for personal reasons while others have married with a Muslim Melayu transmigrant.

The specific factors involved in their changing of religion have been obscured by several generations of time. The Sanggau-Sekadau group is part of the Dayak ethnolinguistic grouping called the Land Dayak which also includes the Bakati, Bakati Rara (Serawak, Malaysia), Bakati Sara, Bidayuh (Serawak, Malaysia), Jangkang, Kembayan, Ribun, Semandang and Benyadu.

The Trans-Kalimantan road crosses over the Sanggau and Sekadau lands in Eastern Kalimantan regency. The road, however, does not go through Central and Western Kalimantan. The Sanggau-Sekadau live together in small numbers with the Dayak and other transmigrants. The Kapuas and Sekayam are the two main rivers in the area. Rivers serve as the main transportation conduits for people living in most villages, as land transportation is very difficult. Distribution of goods such as food, medicines, agricultural products and more also takes place via the rivers. Water vehicles commonly include sampan (small boats), barges and motor boats. The Sanggau-Sekadau make their living through farming and fishing in the river. Many Sanggau-Sekadau, however, are poor.

Bible Portions – No
New Testament – No
Complete Bible – No

Pray for strategies and ways to reach out to them.
Pray for these people’s hearts.
Pray for God’s people to go reach them out and bring the Good News to them.
Pray for translators to go translating His word for them so they may come to understanding the true living God and worship Him.

Resource: Joshua Project