The Invissible Warriors

Mandi Kepala, Washing of the Skulls


The Dayak Kandayant or Ahe were famous for their 'flying lady panglima' and the 'flying child panglima', who led the Dayaks force, and the 'force' to the battle.

They were able to fly swiftly and could perch on leaves giving instructions and directions to the comrades. They were able to gather the 'force' instantly in the battle site, thus outnumbering the enemies. These 'forces' would never die, and would disappear into thin air once the 'job' was executed, leaving the Kandayant comrade behind.

The 'Orang Gunung' or 'Bidorod' in Dayak Bidayuh dialect, were the special bred. They needed to see the authencity of the 'mangkok merah' or red bowl, before accepting the invitation. They would go the the target areas as instructed by the pingubak. or leader. The leader would only act after consultation with their komang.

While the Kandayant would be guided by their Panglima Burung, the Bidorod would be guided by the komang.

Unlike the Kandayant who fought it out in the field, the Bidorod preferred the hunting style. They would walk through the forest and jungle trek armed with their mandau and blow pipe. They would kill the enemy with their blowpipe from a distant and later cut off the head.

They would move again and ambush their enemy. Thus they were coined as Pahlawan Limunan or the invissible warrior. People could not see them, but the headless bodies only.

The only way for the enemy to escape was to run, once they see another person next to them suddenly drop down after being hit by a poisonous dart. Should they run towards the blow pipe blowers, they would be killed with the mandau.

Normally the victims did not run, as they were puzzled, shocked and confused with, by then, all the battle cries, battle whistles and battle screams, as if coming from all directions.

The thin but strong warriors dressed in red loincloth, red headgear armed with sharp red-handled and red-shealth long knives would bounce on them.

Unlike the Kandayant warriors, the Bidorod respect their victim. They would not cut the vagina of the female victims and made a ring out of it. They would not throw the babies into the air and spear them.

As a sign of respect, they would drink a little blood of the victim. They would cut off the heart and other fleshy part like the biceps or arm muscle, to roast for their meals. Salt was not need, as they claimed that human meat is salty enough. They do not like the liver, as they claimed that the liver is too salty.

It would be sinful of them if they do not eat a little of the meat.

This happened during communal clashes. Most of them are peaceful and kind Christians now. They are very hospitable.

Lets ngabang to their village during Gawia Nyobeng on 15 June 2010.

I will be there, looking forwards to their kauh or preserved wild boar.