A Touch of Death: A Collective Consciousness-based Short Story Writing Project

Abstract

Kemponan is a prevalent belief within the Dayak Bisomu community, significantly influencing social behavior. This research, conducted using a sociological approach grounded in Emile Durkheim's concept of Collective Consciousness, investigates how kemponan shapes social interactions, particularly in the context of responding to food offers. Data were collected ethnographically through in-depth interviews and observations of the Dayak Bisomu's daily life, focusing on informants with extensive knowledge and experience regarding this belief. The findings demonstrate that kemponan is indeed transmitted intergenerationally, with families teaching it to their children, thereby establishing a clear correlation between kemponan and social behavior. These results then inform the creation of a short story titled "A Touch of Death," illustrating how kemponan influences the Dayaknese's responses to social offers.