Borneo Research Articles

A People's History of Malaysia

A People's History of Malaysia Felice Noelle Rodriguez and Jomo Kwame Sundaram Syed Husin Ali Petaling Jaya: SIRD for Pusat Sejarah Rakyat, 2018. ISBN 9789672165101 Syed Husin Ali's book is the most important alternative national historical narrative of Malaysia available. It is written very much in the spirit of the late Renato Constantino's The Nationalist Alternative,1 translated into Malay as Pilihan Nasionalis.2 Why is this nationalist narrative still important more than six decades after Merdeka for Malaya in 1957? For at least two reasons. First, because Malaysia is a product of imperialism and anti-colonialism. Malaysia today is not some 'natural' cultural or geographic entity. Rather, like most former colonial countries, it is a product of earlier globalizations, especially the British empire, preceded by the Portuguese conquest of Melaka from 1511, and then the Dutch conquest in 1641. Without being legally pedantic, British colonialism was episodic and uneven, memorialized by history books as the Straits Settlements from almost two centuries ago, the Federated Malay States of Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan and Pahang from the late 19th century, and the Unfederated Malay States of Johor and the former Siamese-ruled northern states of Kelantan, Terengganu, Kedah and the British-created buffer of Perlis. Although Labuan was a British colony earlier, where the Torrens land registration system was first tried in the British empire, Sabah came under the chartered British North Borneo Company in the late nineteenth century with the 'consent' of the Sultan of Sulu. Over time, James Brooke and his descendants gained control of Sarawak after defeating 'native resistance'. Sarawak was their reward from the Sultan of Brunei, which gave its name to the island of Borneo. [End Page 137] Malaysia3 was proposed by the British, via Tunku Abdul Rahman, as a convenient post-colonial arrangement to 'reliably' govern British possessions in Southeast Asia, before the withdrawal of Brunei before its formation in 19634 and Singapore in 1965, the two richest territories of the proposed federation. Syed Husin's slim volume also reminds us of the often heroic resistance to Western, especially British, expansion, though little is said about resistance to Siamese and other 'local' or 'regional' expansions, or projections or extensions of power. But what about popular resistance to oppression and exploitation by those geographically nearer and less culturally alien as status and class differences grew? So, this is not really a social history of popular resistance 'from below' in the pre-Merdeka or pre-Malaysia past. The book would also have benefited from some treatment of the geographic terrain of today's Malaysia in relation to its neighbours, reminding us of interconnections before European colonization. This could have been incorporated into Chapter 2 which speaks of the prehistory of Malaysia. Recent archaeological and other findings could have been incorporated to give a fuller understanding of its peoples and links with the Nusantara world. Syed Husin also reminds us that in 1947, a decade before Merdeka, radical nationalists—led by Dr Burhanuddin al-Helmy, Shamsiah Fakeh, Ishak Haji Muhamad (Pak Sako), Ahmad Boestamam and those in the AMCJA (All Malayan Council for Joint Action)—had agreed to the Perlembagaan Rakyat, or People's Constitution.5 This People's Constitution for an independent Malaya was agreed to by leaders of all ethnic communities in the peninsula, years before UMNO joined demands for independence in 1951, after Tunku replaced UMNO founding leader Onn Jaffar, with the British-sponsored MCA joining later. After repressing patriotic anti-colonial forces, such as API (Angkatan Pemuda Insaf), from early 1948, well before declaring the 'Emergency' in June, and giving up on Dato' Onn, the British turned to Tunku's Alliance to protect imperial, especially business, interests in the post-colonial order. Tun Razak is remembered for FELDA and NEP affirmative action efforts to reduce inter-ethnic socio-economic disparities, but he also saw greater national ownership of the economy, facilitated by the state, as necessary for national progress. Perhaps this is the reason the young Razak was under British Special Branch (SB) surveillance from the late 1940s, together with the only two-time Agung, the late Sultan Abdul Halim of Kedah, according to long-serving former Inspector...

Gender variation from toe print ridge density among melanau ethnic in Malaysia Borneo Island

Gender variation from toe print ridge density among melanau ethnic in Malaysia Borneo Island

ESTIMASI PASOKAN BATUBARA UNTUK PLTU RENCANA DI PROVINSI KALIMANTAN BARAT

Abstrat - Coal is a cheap of fossil energy and encouraged in the framework of national energy diversification. Based on the Handbook of Energy and Economic Statistics of Indonesia 2016, Indonesia's coal reserves amounted to 32 billion tons which are spread on the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Most of the domestic coal demands are currently used as fuel for PLTU to produce electricity. Based on the RUPTL PLN, to increase the reliability of the electricity system in West Borneo, the construction of non-fuel power plants such as the Parit Baru Power Plant (FTP1 and FTP2) and the Pantai Kura-Kura PLTU (FTP1). However, in West Borneo coal has not been exploited and coal reserves have also not been identified. To ensure the continuity of electricity supply in West Borneo Province, its need to estimated coal supply for the planned PLTU in West Borneo Province. which require data such as the coal specification data that will be used in the PLTU plan. After the data is collected, then the coal demands are calculated for each planne PLTU.

The cave population of Chaerilus Simon, 1877 from Palawan, Philippines, and description of a new species (Scorpiones: Chaerilidae)

The study of an important collection of scorpions, belonging to the genus Chaerilus, recently collected from a cave in the Palawan Island, Philippines, allows the clarification of the identity of this population, often misidentified with Chaerilus chapmani Vachon & Lourenço, 1985 known from caves in the Gunong Mulu National Park in Sarawak (Borneo). Chaerilus agnellivanniorum sp. n. is described from the Puerto Princesa Underground River Cave in Palawan Island based on 14 specimens, males, females, and juveniles. The new species is totally distinct morphologically from Chaerilus chapmani, a true troglobitic species. Chaerilus agnellivanniorum sp. n. may also be a true troglobitic element, but with a less marked degree of regression for several characters. Some comments on the ecology of the new species and on regional biogeography of Borneo and Palawan islands are also proposed.

Perencanaan Teknik Penanggulangan Kelongsoran Dengan Menggunakan Konstruksi Retaining Wall (Studi Kasus Jalan Tanjung Selor – Tana Tidung)

Given the contours of the island of Borneo are numerous plateaus, allowing roads to be constructed in mountainous areas or hilly, it can be seen on the streets shaft North Kalimantan namely Tanjung Selor – Tana Tidung road on the path Tanjung Selor – Tana Tidung road there is a level of steepness high whitout made retaining wall can be causing landslides that could be dangerous for road users and surrounding residents. This can occur as a result of soil instability especially when coupled with high rainfall, It is necessary to retaining that handy to withstand the preassures in the soil so that the soil does not move and headed towards the bottom. With the development of science, the more ways you can use to avoid or rectify the land / area avalanche of one of them by making a retaining wall.

The Development of Booklet about the Variety of Macroscopic Fungi Species in Arboretum Sylva Western Borneo as the Supplement of Learning Material at High School

This R & D research’s purposes are to calculate: a) the variety of microscopic fungi species used as booklet material development, b) the validity, readability, practice, and effectiveness of the booklet. The findings are: a) the 21 species of macroscopic fungi variety in Arboretum Sylva, consisting of two divisions namely Ascomycota and Basidiomycota, b) booklet validity based on material expert’s judgment, 93.5% and media expert, 98.8%, with valid criteria, c) 89.6% readability of the booklet by students and 91.2% by teacher, categorized as understandable, d) the practice of the booklet by the students, 87.5% and teachers, 86.9%, categorized as very practice, e) the effectiveness of the booklet based on affective learning achievement, 73.3 for experimental group, and 66.2 for control group with well category. Psychomotor learning achievement averages are 72.6 for experimental group and 61.1 for control group, categorized as well. Based on cognitive learning achievement, the gain scores are 0.71 for experimental group and 0.56 for control group. U Mann-Whitney test result gains significant score 0.000 < 0.05. Effective size calculation is 0.6 (categorized as medium) and has impacts as 38.2%. The conclusion is the use of booklet is effective toward students’ learning achievement.

The sufficiency of existed protected areas in conserving the habitat of proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus)

Wardatutthoyyibah, Pudyatmoko S, Subrata SA, Imron MA. 2019. The sufficiency of existed protected areas in conserving the habitat of proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus). Biodiversitas 20: 1-10. Proboscis monkey (Nasalis larvatus) is an endemic species on the island of Borneo. Their population size progressively decreased because they are very sensitive to any habitat destruction and human activity. The population of proboscis monkey in 2008 was estimated at only approximately 25,000 in total, of which only 5,000 within the conservation areas. However so, the continuation of habitat degradation is hardly prevented in non-protected areas. To solve the problem, the Indonesian government commits to increase the population of the proboscis monkey, particularly outside the protected areas. To support this goal, the distribution data of N. larvatus for conservation planning has become necessary. This study aims to build predictive models of the N. larvatus in Kalimantan and to measure how big the overlap between the habitat and the land use activity (protected areas, concession areas, plantation, and agriculture areas). The study used the Species Distribution Modelling (SDM) approach and Maximum Entropy (MaxEnt) software. We collected recent data from N. larvatus and a number of environmental variables. The result shows that only 5% of the total of Kalimantan area is suitable for their habitat. The overlap between N. larvatus distribution, land use, and land cover map reveals that only 9% of the distribution lies in protected areas, while 37% lies in concession areas and 27% lies in agriculture and plantations areas. We discuss the spatial distribution of the model and current situation of the land use policy in Kalimantan to provide scientific guidance for the Indonesian government to make a master plan for conserving endangered species N. larvatus.

Population dynamics of the proboscis monkeyNasalis larvatusin the Lower Kinabatangan, Sabah, Borneo, Malaysia

AbstractThe Endangered proboscis monkeyNasalis larvatusis endemic to the island of Borneo. Habitat loss is a major threat to this species, and an understanding of long-term demographic trends is crucial for its conservation. We assessed the population trends and group sizes of proboscis monkeys over 10 years in the Lower Kinabatangan floodplain in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo. Comparisons of observed populations between 2004 and 2014 revealed significantly reduced group sizes, which is probably a result of forest fragmentation. Three long-term studies over 34–73 months in specific areas showed fluctuating estimated densities in each area, but no overall population increase or decrease. Riparian forests are the most important habitat for these monkeys, and one reason for the relatively stable population could be that there were only minor losses of forest along rivers during 2004–2014 because protected areas have been established in the region in 2005. However, proboscis monkey habitat remains under threat in areas allocated for oil palm, and protection of these areas is paramount to maintaining this population.

From Pre-Brookes to Hot, Flat and Crowded World: Are Changes in Indigenous Knowledge, Beliefs and Practices Seriously Affecting Hornbills Conservation?

In the island of Borneo, the forests ecosystem, rivers and wildlife prior to the pre-Brookes era have notably influenced the evolution of their indigenous knowledge, practices and beliefs system, known as the traditional ecological knowledge. Such influence has, over time developed into acceptable cultural and traditional identity of indigenous people. Today, changes in the political and socio-economic development, driven by the flattening, crowding and warming of the world have devoured open space and tropical rainforest of the world. The impacts, in turn to some extent had disrupted ecosystems and depleted species that has been perceived increasingly impacting the dynamic nature of the beliefs and cultural system of many indigenous communities. This paper elicits some factors and conditions that maintain or undermine indigenous communities’ ability to adapt, generate, transmit and apply the traditional knowledge, beliefs and cultural systems with respect to the species of hornbills and its conservation in the face of changing environmental and socio-economic conditions.

Species distribution of genus Salacca

Salak is native plant from tropics that is grouped in genus Salacca. Species number of this genus based on valid name is 23 species. The spread of salak species in the world has never been published full in one paper. Several publication often informed only one species of salak but the others informed more. Therefore this paper aims to present the distribution salak species in the world. All of specimen salak were observed from Herbarium Bogoriense, Bogor; Herbarium Leiden, Netherlands; Herbarium Kewense, England. The specimens observed amounted to 515 sheets. Result showed the distribution of salak species is concentrated in three regions namely Borneo, Malay Peninsular, and Sumatra. Borneo island is highest diversity of salak because there were found 11 salak species, that indicated as centre of salak diversity and centre of salak origin in the world. Most of the species from this genus are restricted to very small areas. The salak habitat varied with wide range of altitudes, from 5 m fsl to 1700 m fsl, but most of them are in the lowlands. The species with the widest range of altitudes are S. dolicholepis but S. wallichiana and S. zalacca were most found in several regions. There is relationship between salak species and distribution areas statistically.

Biodiversity Information System for Management of Medicinal Plants Data Tropical Rainforest Borneo

This paper is an effort to inform about the potential of medicinal plants in forest areas in the Borneo region. Given the high rate of destruction of rainforests on Borneo, literacy and conservation efforts of medicinal plants that are part of the forest ecosystem are important. This study developed BBIS, namely Borneo Biodiversity Information System. BBIS is the development of computer-based technology for managing information on Borneo's natural resource biodiversity in order to improve the knowledge management of medicinal plants. In particular, development of the Biodiversity Information System which can be used as an exploring media for exchange information society on Borneo's biodiversity. Profile biodiversity complete and well managed will be a reference in the process of monitoring the use of biological diversity, strategies, and plans related to the biodiversity of the medicinal plants on Borneo Island.

Factors influencing tadpole deposition site choice in a frog with male parental care: An experimental field study

AbstractParents have evolved a variety of strategies to minimize risks to their offspring, including complex choices regarding suitable rearing sites, based on abiotic and biotic factors, which differentially affect offspring survival. Because availability and quality of these sites are variable, parents may have to choose between immediately available lower‐quality rearing sites or extended search time. In some frog species with larval transport, parents are known to select bodies of water that are free of predators, cannibalistic tadpoles, or intraspecific competitors for larval deposition and rearing sites. We tested whether abiotic factors and the presence of predators and conspecific tadpoles affect tadpole deposition behavior in a population of smooth guardian frog, Limnonectes palavanensis, on the island of Borneo. Females lay eggs on land and males guard them until they hatch; after hatching, tadpoles climb onto the male's back and are subsequently transported to small pools of water on the forest floor, which are scarce and patchily distributed. We estimated the abundance of natural tadpole rearing sites in our study area and conducted experiments using artificial pools to test whether abiotic characteristics of these pools affect the probability of larval deposition. We also performed choice experiments to test whether males of L. palavanensis avoid pools with conspecific tadpoles or predators. Lastly, we tested whether the tadpoles of this species exhibit cannibalism. The abundance of natural deposition sites was low, and males readily used artificial pools for tadpole deposition. Males were less likely to deposit tadpoles in artificial pools located in steep areas, and males did not avoid depositing tadpoles in pools with conspecifics or with experimentally introduced predators. Males exhibited clutch‐partitioning behavior, dividing tadpoles between adjacent artificial pools. Pool availability, rather than the presence of potential competitors or predators in a pool, affects tadpole deposition decisions in this species.

Palaeolithic cave art in Borneo.

Figurative cave paintings from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi date to at least 35,000 years ago (ka) and hand-stencil art from the same region has a minimum date of 40ka1. Here we show that similar rock art was created during essentially the same time period on the adjacent island of Borneo. Uranium-series analysis of calcium carbonate deposits that overlie a large reddish-orange figurative painting of an animal at Lubang Jeriji Saléh-a limestone cave in East Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo-yielded a minimum date of 40ka, which to our knowledge is currently the oldest date for figurative artwork from anywhere inthe world. In addition, two reddish-orange-coloured hand stencils from the same site each yielded a minimum uranium-series date of 37.2ka, and a third hand stencil of the same hue has a maximum date of 51.8ka. We also obtained uranium-series determinations for caveart motifs from Lubang Jeriji Saléh and three other East Kalimantan karst caves, which enable us to constrain the chronology of a distinct younger phase of Pleistocene rock art production in this region. Dark-purple hand stencils, some of which are decorated with intricate motifs, date to about 21-20ka and a rare Pleistocene depiction of a human figure-also coloured dark purple-has a minimum date of 13.6ka. Our findings show that cave painting appeared in eastern Borneo between 52 and 40ka and that a new style of parietal art arose during the Last Glacial Maximum. It is now evident that a major Palaeolithic caveart province existed in the eastern extremity of continental Eurasia and in adjacent Wallacea from at least 40ka until the Last Glacial Maximum, which has implications for understanding how early rock art traditions emerged, developed and spread in Pleistocene Southeast Asia and further afield.

PERKEMBANGAN ISLAM DI BRUNEI

Brunei has existed since at least the 7th or 8th century. In the history mentioned Islam has come to Brunei since the 7th century, which at that time Brunei has become a center of trade. The king of Brunei Malay kingdom since Sultan Muhammad Shah (1383), is a Muslim sultan who leads the kingdom as well as religious leaders, and is responsible for upholding the implementation of religious teachings in the region. This paper will discuss the development of Islam and the dynamics of Malay politics, religion and traditions in Brunei Darussalam to the present, including how Brunei Islam can pass through the British colonial era with unique conditions, even as they respect Britain as the savior of their country. Brunei reached its heyday from the fifteenth to the seventeenth century at the time of the Bolkiah Sultan, who ruled the entire island of Borneo and the Philippine archipelago, before the arrival of European colonial nations. Together with Malaysia, Brunei was colonized by Britain, and since 1888 the Kingdom of Brunei is a British Commonwealth. After Malaysia Merdeka (1957), Brunei declared its independence on January 1, 1984 from Malaysia. Although not a vast country. Brunei is an Islamic state that plays an important role in maintaining Islamic values in society. This is the success of the mosque coaching program and the advancement of religious education as a top priority. The Malay Muslim Kingdom of Brunei Darussalam made Islam its national ideology to implement Sunni Islam (Ahlussunnah Waljamaah), to obey the king, and to live the life of Darussalam as a Malay nation. In fact, all the activities of the kingdom and government rules serve to strengthen the existence of Islam. The threat of Islam that can disrupt the stability of the country is a radical movement. The government has banned sectarian Islamic sects such as al-Arqam and others, so that Brunei remains a Darussalam, a safe, prosperous country, and protected from disturbances and chaos.

Phenolic-Rich Baccaurea angulata Modulates Inflammatory Biomarkers of Atherosclerosis.

Purpose Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading and the most critical type of chronic disease. Atherosclerosis is the most common cause of CVD. Inflammation has been progressively acknowledged as a vital and central player in the pathophysiology of atherosclerosis. Baccaurea angulata is an underutilized fruit of the island of Borneo. It was obtained from Bau, Sarawak, Malaysia. In our previous studies, B. angulata did not only increase antioxidant enzyme activities, but also slowed the lipid peroxidation process in high-cholesterol-fed rabbits. It was hypothesized that B. angulata fruit would exert an anti-inflammatory effect. This study, therefore, aimed at evaluating and comparing the effects of three different B. angulata whole fruit (WF) juice doses on 11 serum inflammatory biomarkers of atherosclerosis. Methods Thirty-five male New Zealand white rabbits were divided into seven groups (n=5). Group CH was fed 1% cholesterol diet only, group C1 was fed 1% cholesterol diet and 0.5 ml/kg/day B. angulata WF juice, group C2 was fed 1% cholesterol diet and 1.0 ml/kg/day B. angulata WF juice, group C3 was fed 1% cholesterol diet and 1.5 ml/kg/day B. angulata WF juice, group N was fed standard pellet only, group N1 was fed standard pellet and 0.5 ml/kg/day B. angulata WF juice, and group N2 was fed standard pellet and 1.0 ml/kg/day B. angulata WF juice for 12 weeks. Results The administration of the various juices reduced the concentrations of induced serum inflammatory biomarkers. Conclusion This protective effect of B. angulata fruit against cardiovascular risk might be due to its polyphenol content.

Investigating leaf beetles (Coleoptera, Chrysomelidae) on the west coast islands of Sabah via checklist-taking and DNA barcoding.

Sabah is a province of Malaysia located on the northern part of the island of Borneo. Most of the leaf beetle fauna studies from this region conducted over the past 15 years have focussed on the mainland habitats while the leaf beetle fauna from island habitats (ca. 500 islands) have largely been overlooked. This study looks into the leaf beetle fauna of 13 small satellite islands off the west coast of Sabah. All specimens were first sorted into morpho-species operational taxonomic unit (OTU) before being identified to species rank where possible based on morphological characters and species names assigned when the specimens fitted the description of species in the literature. We collected 75 OTUs from 35 genera and five subfamilies according to morphology, 12 of which were identifiable to species level. In addition, the DNA barcode for each OTU was cross checked with records in GenBank and Barcoding of Life Data system (BOLD) to verify their identity. The number of species recorded was reduced from 12 species and 63 OTUs (total 75 OTUs) to 12 species and 56 OTUs (total 68 OTUs) after removal of the colour polymorphic species based on DNA barcode analyses. Pulau Gaya has the highest species richness and Pulau Sulug has the lowest species richness. A total of 64 Barcode Index Numbers consisting of 101 DNA barcodes were obtained from the 12 leaf beetle species and 48 OTUs. Based on the DNA barcode analyses, it was possible to confirm several polymorphic OTUs and cryptic species. The mean intraspecific and interspecific genetic divergence were determined as 0.77% and 16.11%, respectively. DNA barcodes of this study show a low similarity with records in GenBank and BOLD, highlighting the lack of representation and the urgency of studying leaf beetles from this region. The study provides the first documentation of leaf beetle fauna from island habitats of Sabah and the first DNA barcoding data for leaf beetles from this part of the world, with the next steps being larger scale sampling over a wider geographical scale for a better understanding of tropical arthropod diversity.

Optimalisasi Palangka Raya menuju Kota Wisata yang Diminati Wisatawan Nusantara/Mancanegara pada Kecamatan Sebangau

The efforts to develop tourism require involvement and readiness by all stakeholders to integrate the tourism management framework. Stakeholders in tourism development consist of three groups, namely the community, the private sector, and the government. Local people have tourism resources, so they need to be encouraged to use them optimally. However, the community does not yet have sufficient capacity to develop and manage these resources to be absorbed by the market, besides the market demand for quality and diversification of tourism products is very high. It is this demand that must be responded by tourism actors, especially industry, by making innovations and marketing alternative products. The Bangkirai Kereng area shows how nature and humans need each other and symbiosis with each other, give and receive each other, which is mediated by water (rivers and lakes) as the adhesive element. Water is the primary domain that affects everything around it. Another uniqueness of this lake or river in Kereng Bangkirai is black water because the bottom of the lake is black peat soil, which affects the color of the water. This phenomenon is only two in the world, namely on the Amazon plains in South America and on the island of Borneo, Indonesia. Then it would be better if this potential was explored again in a presentation that was of knowledge and knowledge. For example by creating a lake museum that shows the various types of black water lakes in the world, and gives more in-depth knowledge to the younger generation who come to the Bangkirai Kereng Area. The Sebangau National Park area is a tropical rainforest that is still left on the island of Borneo.

Thismia kelabitiana (Thismiaceae), a new unique Fairy Lantern from Borneo potentially threatened by commercial logging.

Thismia kelabitiana, a new unique species from the Sarawak state of Malaysia in the island of Borneo is described and illustrated. This new species is not similar to any species of Thismia described so far especially by having a unique form of mitre and outer perianth lobes deeply divided into 8–10 acute lobes and forming striking fringe around perianth tube opening. The species appears to be critically endangered due to ongoing logging activities in the region. It may potentially become a surrogate species for lower montane forests of the region and thus help protect them against further destruction.

The Diversity of Shorea spp. (Meranti) at Some Habitats in Indonesia

Shorea is one of the largest genus in Dipterocarpaceae with 194 species in the world, ±160 originated from Malesia region and consisted of ±125 species in Indonesia. Shorea population which grown in Indonesia have high economic value of wood. Distribution of Shorea would be affected by some factors especially edaphic, climate, and altitude. Based on the observation of speciment collection in Herbarium Bogoriense, Shorea were highest distributed in 0-500 m and 500-1000 m of the altitude in Dipterocarps forest type. Borneo (102 species) and Sumatera (52 species)islands were highest distributed habitat of Shorea species and population. Shorea distributon pattern in Indonesia have high endemicity, especially it grow in Borneo. Shorea trees start to flower at 8-10 years and usually it mast flowers every 4-5 years. Shorea grow in some habitats such as lowland dipterocarp forest (98 species), hill forest (57 species), coastal forest (12 species), peat swamp forest (11 species), heath forest (11 species), swamp forest (6), riparian forest (6 species) and limestone forest (2 species).

DIFFERENCES OF HEAD FORM CHARACTERISTICS USING CHEPALIC INDEX ON KALIMANTAN TRADE (Identification Study of Male and Female Head Shape In Dayak Ngaju tribe, Dayak Bukit tribe and Banjar Hulu tribe)

Background: The island of Borneo is inhabited by various tribes such as Dayak Ngaju tribe, Dayak Bukit tribe and Banjar Hulu tribe. According to Radam (1987) the Dayak Bukit and Banjar Hulu tribes have the closest kinship, while the theory of Tjilik Riwut (1979) says Dayak Bukit tribe is part of Dayak Ngaju tribe. The difference between the two theories is still debatable so it needs to be identified. Identification of all three groups is by using the chepalic index. Objective: To find out the average head width, head length and chepalic index between men and women in the three groups of tribes in Kalimantan. Method: This study was an observational analytic study with cross sectional design, using respondents of 180 people consisting of 60 people in each tribe groups. Characteristic of head shape was measured by using chepalic index. Results: Research data were analyzed using Kruskal Wallis test. The Kruskall Wallis test of head width, head length and chepalic index yielded p = 0,000 (p 0,05 which showed no difference in mean value of chepalic index between male and female in all three groups. Conclusion: Based on the comparison of head width, head length and chepalic index, it can be concluded that there is a possibility of kinship relationship between Dayak Bukit tribe and Banjar Hulu tribe.