Epik dalam Sastra Lisan Dayak Ngaju

Basori

Balai Bahasa Provinsi Kalimantan Tengah

Abstract

This article is aimed at examining the figure and meaning of a hero to Dayak Ngaju people. Examination uses folklore approach. Result of the examination demonstrates that Dayak Ngaju folklore is one of the wealthy ranges of literature which describes way of thinking, customs, social condition of the people, individual character, person-to-society relation, and the value system found in Dayak Ngaju society. Heroes in Dayak Ngaju’s folklore have typical identification such as, robust, undefeatable, wise, and very affectionate. Such physical and spiritual descriptions fit the ideal image of a hero universally accepted. Such characteristics illustrate a hero with its total aspects. They are human who voluntarily devote himself to any changes. They are able to handle individual, time and space limitations to achieve widely accepted humanism values.