Kahayan Hilir menyimpan warisan budaya yang sarat makna, bernama pakanan batu. Tradisi ini bukan sekadar upacara adat, melainkan ungkapan syukur atas panen padi ladang. Ritual berlangsung dalam kebun atau ladang masyarakat yang sudah turun-temurun dikelola. Damang Kahayan Hilir menjelaskan bahwa inti dari tradisi ini menghormati hasil panen pertama. “Panen pertama tidak boleh langsung dimakan, tapi harus dipersembahkan dulu. Ada istilah kami, tidak dia tahu mana selu batu, artinya tidak boleh mendahului sesuatu yang belum waktunya,” ucapnya.
Ritual berlangsung sederhana. Padi hasil panen pertama ditumbuk menjadi beras, lalu diolah sebagai sajian dalam acara syukur kecil. Masyarakat berkumpul, saling berbagi, serta berterima kasih atas berkat yang diterima. Batu yang digunakan bukan sembarangan, melainkan batu alam untuk menajamkan parang. Batu tersebut menjadi simbol keterhubungan manusia dengan alam dan kerja keras.
“Biasanya hasil panen pertama ditumbuk, lalu diadakan semacam pesta kecil. Kita undang orang, sebagai wujud syukur. Itu aturan adat yang tidak bisa dilanggar,” tambah Damang.
Seiring perubahan zaman, tradisi ini mulai berkurang. Banyak warga tidak lagi berladang dan memilih membeli beras. Akibatnya, pakanan batu terancam hilang. Padahal nilai yang terkandung sangat dalam: rasa syukur, penghormatan terhadap alam, serta kebersamaan.
Pelestarian pakanan batu berarti merawat warisan kearifan lokal. Tradisi ini mengajarkan bahwa setiap rezeki wajib disyukuri dan setiap lahan mesti dijaga. Dalam setiap butir beras tersimpan doa, kerja keras, serta penghormatan terhadap alam.
Generasi muda yang mampu menjaga pakanan batu tidak hanya melestarikan sebuah ritual, melainkan juga mempertegas bahwa adat Dayak berpihak pada kelestarian, bukan perusakan.
Penulis: Alma
Editor: KM
Kahayan Hilir holds a deeply meaningful cultural heritage called pakanan batu. This tradition is more than just a ceremony; it’s an expression of gratitude for the rice harvest. The ritual takes place on the ancestral farmlands or gardens of the community. The Damang (traditional leader) of Kahayan Hilir explains that the core of this tradition is to honor the first harvest. “The first harvest cannot be consumed immediately; it must be offered first. We have a saying, ‘tidak dia tahu mana selu batu,’ which means you should not do something before its time,” he said.
The ritual is a simple one. The first harvested rice is pounded into grains and then prepared as a dish for a small gratitude celebration. The community gathers, shares the food, and gives thanks for the blessings they have received. The stone used is not just any stone; it is a natural whetstone used to sharpen a machete. The stone symbolizes the connection between humans, nature, and hard work.
“Typically, the first harvest is pounded, and then we hold a small feast. We invite people as a form of gratitude. That is a customary rule that cannot be broken,” the Damang added.
With changing times, this tradition is starting to fade. Many residents no longer farm and instead choose to buy rice. As a result, pakanan batu is at risk of disappearing. However, the values it contains are profound: gratitude, respect for nature, and a sense of community.
Preserving pakanan batu means caring for the legacy of local wisdom. This tradition teaches that every blessing must be appreciated and every piece of land must be cared for. In every grain of rice, there is a prayer, hard work, and respect for nature.
Younger generations who can preserve pakanan batu are not only saving a ritual but also affirming that Dayak customs are aligned with sustainability, not destruction.
Author: Alma Editor: KM
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